To help more Hoosiers gain job-ready skills and increase their educational attainment, Indiana has officially launched an opportunity for institutions to participate in the new federal Workforce Pell Grant program. Indiana has been proactively preparing since early this year to ensure the state could opt in as soon as the new federal opportunity opens today, July 1. By opting in, Indiana aims to grow the state’s homegrown talent pipeline and ultimately, make it more affordable for Hoosiers to earn high-value credentials.
“From our smallest towns to our largest cities, Indiana employers need more qualified workers to keep up with demand,” said Governor Mike Braun. “When I was in the U.S. Senate, I helped write bipartisan legislation to expand the Federal Pell Grant in direct response to the needs of Hoosier employers and students, allowing more students to access short-term training programs, build skills quickly, and move into better‑paying jobs. With the official launch of Workforce Pell in Indiana, we are eager to build on this work, and I want to applaud the Trump administration for providing states a key mechanism to address urgent workforce needs and strengthen the sectors that will continue to propel our economy forward.”
Ahead of the Workforce Pell Grant provisions in President Trump’s Working Families Tax Cuts Act taking effect, Gov. Braun signed House Enrolled Act 1266 passed by the Indiana General Assembly earlier this year to align state and federal processes and ensure state agencies and institutions are prepared to move with urgency so Hoosiers can take full advantage of the opportunities Workforce Pell provides.
“We know that when students continue their education beyond a high school diploma – whether that’s a short-term credential, a two- or four-year degree, or beyond – their opportunities for social and economic mobility grow,” said Indiana Secretary of Education Dr. Katie Jenner. “Workforce Pell adds another tool in our toolbox as we work to make higher education and training more affordable for Hoosiers, better align programs with the knowledge and skills employers and students need most, and help more students earn valuable credentials that will continue to open real doors of opportunity.”
For 2026-2027, Governor Braun has approved both Ivy Tech Community College and Vincennes University to apply for Workforce Pell program consideration through the U.S. Department of Education. Through this process, Indiana has prioritized key high-demand sectors, including:
- advanced manufacturing;
- building and construction;
- health and life sciences;
- IT and business services; and
- transportation and logistics.
“Vincennes University has always been at the forefront of aligning education with the evolving needs of Indiana’s economy,” said Vincennes University President Dr. Chuck Johnson. “Participating in the Workforce Pell program opens doors for Hoosiers who can benefit from our flexible, accelerated pathways to high-wage jobs.”
“This initiative is of the most significant opportunities in higher education for Hoosiers seeking a faster, more affordable path to high-demand careers, and we are excited about the opportunities it will create for both students and employers across Indiana,” said Ivy Tech Community College President Marty Pollio. “As Indiana’s workforce engine, our focus remains on ensuring that every program we offer leads to meaningful employment opportunities and helps employers build the skilled talent pipeline they need to grow and compete. We look forward to partnering with the state and our workforce and community partners to ensure this initiative delivers meaningful results for Indiana.”
Continuing to Meet Employer and Student Needs
While the first year of implementation is targeted to Indiana’s public two-year institutions and employer partners, all higher education institutions are encouraged to review Indiana’s eligibility criteria and submit an application for future consideration on the Indiana Commission for Higher Education’s (Commission’s) Workforce Pell webpage. Programs approved by the Governor will be sent to the U.S. Department of Education for final federal validation.
Information for Students
Interested students should prepare to file the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). To qualify for a Workforce Pell Grant, students must have earned a high school diploma, meet need-based eligibility requirements, and enroll in an authorized Workforce Pell program once offerings become available.
More information on Workforce Pell Grants, as well as other financial aid programs is available on the Commission’s State Financial Aid webpage.