The JOBS Act of 2023 creates a new type of financial aid called the Job Training Pell Grant to help more students afford career training programs. Currently, Pell Grants mainly go to students pursuing traditional college degrees, but this bill expands that to include people taking short-term job training courses in high-demand fields like healthcare, technology, skilled trades, and other industries that pay well. To qualify, you'd need to be enrolled in a career training program at a college or university that lasts between 8 to 15 weeks and provides 150 to 600 hours of instruction. You also can't already have a degree and must meet the other standard requirements for Pell Grants, like having financial need. One important detail: the time you spend in a job training program using this grant counts toward your overall Pell Grant eligibility period, which is the total amount of federal grant money you can receive in your lifetime. This change makes it easier for people who want to quickly gain job skills without committing to a full four-year degree to access federal financial aid.

JOBS Act of 2023

Kaine, Tim

Jumpstart Our Businesses by Supporting Students Act of 2023 or the JOBS Act of 2023 This bill expands student eligibility for Pell Grants by establishing the Job Training Federal Pell Grant program. Specifically, the bill requires the Department of Education to award a job training Pell Grant to a student who does not have a degree; attends an institution of higher education (IHE); is enrolled in a career and technical education program at an IHE that provides 150 to 600 clock hours of instructional time over a period of 8 to 15 weeks and provides training aligned with high-skill, high-wage, or in-demand industry sectors (i.e., job training programs); and meets all other eligibility requirements for a Pell Grant. Additionally, the bill specifies that any period during which a student receives a job training Pell Grant counts toward that student's Pell Grant eligibility period.