Today, ACTE released a new fact sheet on expanding access to high-quality short-term postsecondary CTE programs. High-quality short-term postsecondary programs can help individuals earn credentials at an affordable cost and enter the workforce in high-wage, high-demand CTE industries.
Since 2010, the number of certificates awarded by public colleges has increased by nearly 30%. While the prevalence of short-term education programs is growing, Title IV of the Higher Education Act limits Pell grant eligibility to postsecondary programs that are at least 600 hours of instruction over 15 weeks, excluding students enrolled in some programs leading to valuable credentials from receiving federal aid.
This fact sheet advocates for the expansion of Pell grants to include high-quality short-term postsecondary programs by defining the issue and providing evidence about how these programs, paired with financial assistance, can lead to higher enrollment and completion rates, continued education, workforce opportunities and wage gains. Additionally, the sheet also features state-level examples from Iowa’s Gap Tuition Assistance Program and Virginia’s New Economy Workforce Credentials Grant.
We encourage you to share this fact sheet with federal, state and local education and workforce development leaders, policymakers and the media to advocate for expanding Pell grants to high-quality short-term postsecondary CTE programs!
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