Illinois Workforce Pell Application

Illinois Workforce Pell Application

Welcome to Illinois' Workforce Pell Approval Application. Workforce Pell is an expansion of the Federal Pell Grant Program that would allow eligible students to use Pell funding for high-quality, short-term workforce programs aligned with in-demand occupations.
Institutions are required to be approved through a process developed by the State, which includes a review conducted by an interagency team, review and recommended approval by the Illinois Workforce Innovation Board and ultimate approval and certification by the Governor. Eligible institutions in Illinois must complete and submit an application for each program using the Illinois Workforce Pell Application.
Providers should utilize the Illinois Workforce Pell Program Approval Manual to complete this application. The manual as well as any accompanying resources, can be found: https://www.iccb.org/programs-and-initiatives/workforce-pell/

Ahead of submitting an application, institutions are encouraged to review and complete the Institutonal Readiness Checklist (Appendix D).

This application period is open July 15- August 31, 2026.
Section I - Provider Information
A. Provider Information
Legal Entity Name
Please enter full legal name. No acronyms.
FEIN
Federal Employer Identification Number (FEIN) is a unique nine-digit number assigned by the Internal Revenue Service to identify a business, nonprofit organization, government entity, or other employer for federal tax purposes.
Organization Type
Other
Institution OPEID
An OPEID (Office of Postsecondary Education Identification Number) is a unique identifier assigned by the U.S. Department of Education to institutions that participate in federal student aid programs under Title IV of the Higher Education Act.
State of Legal Authorization

Street Address

Street Address Line 2

CityState

Zip Code

Institutional Accreditor
Full name, no acronyms. Must be a U.S. Department of Education approved accreditor: https://ope.ed.gov/dapip/#/agency-list
Supporting Evidence: Upload documentation of accreditation in good standing (e.g. accreditation status or action letter) (PDF)

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Program Participation Agreement Expiration Date

MonthDayYear
Is the program included in the institution's scope of accreditation? If unknown, the institution should check with the institutional accreditor.
Attestation: If the program is not yet approved by the institution's accreditor, the institution attests that it understands that it cannot seek U.S. Department of Education approval for Workforce Pell eligibility until it is approved the accreditor.

Financial Health of the Institution (completed GASB or FASB Forms 2 and 3)

Institutions must submit their most recently completed GASB (for public institutions) or FASB Forms 2 and 3 (for private nonprofit institutions) financial statements documenting expenses and revenue, as reported through the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) financial health variables. This documentation will need to be specific to their operations in Illinois. Private for profits must complete FASB Forms 2 and 3 for the purposes of Illinois Workforce Pell Approval.
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B. Provider Address & Contact
Physical Address

Street Address

Street Address Line 2

CityState / Province

Postal / Zip Code
Do you have any additional training sites besides your primary physical location?

If you have more than 6 additional training sites, please upload a file listing all sites.

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Primary Contact Name

First NameLast Name
Primary Contact Information

TitleDepartment
Primary Contact Email
example@example.com
Primary Contact Phone Number
Please enter a valid phone number.Format: (000) 000-0000.
C. Title IV Compliance History

Required under §690.92(g): institutions with suspensions/emergency/termination actions in past 5 years cannot offer Workforce Pell programs.
Have you been subject to suspension, emergency action, or termination under Title IV within the past 5 years?

Section II - Program Information
A. Program Overview
Program Name
Program Description
CIP
6-Digit Classification of Instructional Program (no hyphens or periods)
Anticipated Program Start Date (date the institution seeks to offer this program as a Workforce Pell program)

MonthDayYear
Date Program Approved by the Illinois Community College Board.

MonthDayYear
Date Program Approved by the Illinois Board of Higher Education.

MonthDayYear
Date Program first operated in compliance with the length requirements (8-14 weeks and 150-599 clock hours). Program must have been offered, in compliance with this requirement, for at least 12 months prior to seeking approval.

MonthDayYear
Type of Program
Other
If curriculum is a part of a Registered Apprenticeship program, upload Certificate of Registration for the Registered Apprenticeship Program.

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If Registered Apprenticeship program, Official RAPIDS registration information or registration number
B Instructional Delivery
Credit or Noncredit?
Fall Program Length in Weeks (must be 8 - 14)
Spring Program Length in Weeks (must be 8 - 14)
Summer Program Length in Weeks (must be 8 - 14)
For Credit Courses, select either Semester /Trimester Hours or Quarter Hours, which ever is applicable to your program.
Clock Hours (150 - 599)
Semester / Trimester Hours (4 - 15)
Quarter Hours (6 - 23)
Delivery Method
Program Length and Hours Documentation

Upload course catalog, website screenshot, or schedule of classes demonstrating that the program was offered in the length format and number of hours required for Workforce Pell Eligibility.
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Does the program include any correspondence, study abroad, or direct assessment coursework?

Attestation: The institution attests that no more than 25% of instruction is offered by an ineligible institution or organization through a written agreement, unless the written arrangement is part of a Registered Apprenticeship.

Section III - Curriculum & Competencies
A. Curriculum Evidence
Upload Curriculum Outline

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List Competencies & Learning Outcomes
If competencies or program learning outcomes are identified in the curriculum outline, please indicate.
B. Credentialing
Does this program prepare students to earn a credential (e.g., licensure, certification, or other industry-recognized credential)?
Credential Type
Credential Name
Other
Issuing Body (must be recognized authority)
C. Articulation & Credit Award

The program prepares students to pursue one or more certificate or degree programs at one or more eligible institutions (which may include the eligible institution providing the program), including by ensuring– (i) That a student, upon completion of the program and enrollment in such a related certificate or degree program, will receive academic credit for the program that will be accepted toward meeting such certificate or degree program requirements; and (ii) The academic credit will be acceptable toward meeting such certificate or degree program requirements.
Credit Award Mapping
Describe how the institution will prepare students to pursue one or more certificate or degree program at one more eligible institutions, including by ensuring students upon completion and subsequent enrollment will receive academic credit for the program.
Number of Credit Hours Granted
Receiving Institutions
Comma separated, list your own institution if transfer pathways exist between noncredit and credit
Written Credit Agreements
Agreements must include:
- Courses/credits accepted
- Degree applicability
- Conditions (min grade, sequencing)
Upload Signed Articulation/Transfer Agreements (MOU, consortium agreement, credit transfer policy)

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Upload student-facing disclosures on credit transfer.

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D. Stackability and Portability Requirements

A credential shall be considered stackable if it meets ALL of the following: 1) The credential is part of a pathway with one or more subsequent credentials that recognize the attainment of additional knowledge and/or skills. 2) Documented links exist showing how this credential serves as a building block toward higher or additional credentials (degrees, certificates, industry credentials, or apprenticeship milestones).3) The credential includes assessments recognized or accepted for credit accumulation toward subsequent credentials.
Standalone Program?
What is the next credential in the pathway?
Supporting Evidence: Institutions shall provide one or more of the following as evidence for stackability: curriculum maps, program catalogs, articulation agreements, job descriptions, ICCB-approved program of study application.

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Portability: A credential shall be considered portable if it meets the following:1) The credential is recognized by more than one employer beyond the awarding institution or region, or, 2) It aligns with industry standards or external quality indicators (e.g., industry bodies, national standards) that prepares students for certification or licensure. Documentation Needed: Institutions shall provide one or more of the following as evidence for portability: employer verification, competency map, regional job postings, program accreditation

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Section IV - Occupational Alignment
A. Eligible Occupation Verification
Does this program prepare students for an occupation included on the Eligible Occupations Training List?
Click Here to View the Illinois In-Demand List

Enter the SOC Code and expected wages for the occupations that this program primarily prepares students for. Expected Wages should be the median annual wages.

Rows	SOC #	Expected Wages
SOC 1
SOC 2
SOC 3
SOC 4
SOC 5

If more than 5 SOC Codes are associated with this program. Please upload the full list here.

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Geographic Scope of the Program
geographic region in which the program is intended to meet workforce needs and produce employment outcomes
Describe the Geographic Scope of Program in more detail (e.g. EDR 10, Southern Region, etc.)
Does this occupation require individuals to have completed a program that is approved, recognized, or accredited by a state body or third party? (e.g. program accreditation)
Upload documentation that provides evidence that the program is in good standing by the appropriate state or recognizing body.

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B. Employer Validation

To qualify for Workforce Pell, every program must provide clear evidence of employer or industry validation. Eligible providers seeking eligibility determination for their programs must submit evidence to demonstrate that: a) The program prepares participants for employment in a designated priority occupation, as defined by Illinois's current DOTL. b) Employers are currently hiring or anticipate hiring for the associated occupation in the next year. c) The skills, competencies, and credentials taught in the program seeking eligibility determination align with specific employer expectations and hiring standards.
Describe how the institution validates its program with employers.
Evidence for Meeting the Demand of Employers

Eligible providers seeking a Workforce Pell eligibility determination for their program must provide evidence of at least one of the following to demonstrate hiring needs: job postings data or employer letter(s).
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Evidence for Competency Alignment

Programs must provide evidence of at least one of the following demonstrating competency alignment between the program and the occupation(s): competency mapping, employer letters, minutes or meeting agendas.
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Employer Letter(s)

Programs must provide at least one letter from an employer or an employer association describing that the program’s curriculum successfully prepares individuals for the associated occupation(s). A letter template has been created, but using the template is not required.
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Indicate if you would like this program to be approved for inclusion on the WIOA Eligible Training Provider List.

Section V - Program Costs
A. Tuition & Fees

(Necessary for Value‑Added Earnings test §690.95.)

Tuition & Fee(s)

Rows	Amount
Tuition
Books & Supplies
Required Fee 1 (if required)
Required Fee 2 (if required)
Required Fee 3 (if required)
Required Fee 4 (if required)
Required Fee 5 (if required)
Total Published Tuition & Fees

Link to Published Tuition & Fees
B. Attestation on Cost Structure
Institution acknowledges tuition/fees must not exceed the annual value‑added earnings metric for continued eligibility.*

Section VI - Performance and Outcome Data

Please complete all applicable sections. In addition to this form, institutions will need to submit student-level data using the Supplemental Student-Level Data Template (Appendix C) to demonstrate that the program meets the required program completion and job placement performance metrics. This done through a separate submission process. Please refer back to the manual for submission instructions.
Name of Institutional Research Contact

First NameLast Name
Email
example@example.com
A. Completion Rate (≥70%)

(Measured within 150% normal time; mandatory for §690.94 approval.)
Completion Rate (%)

Methodology
B. Job Placement Rate (≥70%)

(Measured in second quarter after exit; in‑field after 2028–29.)
Placement Rate (%), if known

Methodology, if known
Institutional Attestation: The institution attests that it will submit the required student-level data using ICCB or IBHE's data submission process prior to the August 31, 2026.
C. Documentation Uploads
Evidence of Outcomes (reports, dashboards, wage record verification)

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Employer Validation Letters (required for §690.93(a)(2))

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Section VII - Non-Federal Aid Monitoring Plan and Student Support
A. Monitoring Procedures
Describe how the institution is tracking non-Federal aid awards.
Describe how the institution will reduce non-Federal aid or return Pell funds when aid ≥ COA.
B. Student COA Adjustment Process

Under §690.5 and §690.80(d), institutions must reduce non‑federal grant/scholarship aid if COA is met.
Upload cost-of-attendance policies.

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Upload Pell‑only aid limitation (no loans, FWS, FSEOG)

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Upload proposed professional judgement policy (must prevent inflation for Pell eligibility).

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Upload proposed/sample statement that students cannot receive concurrent Pell for any other program (§690.11)

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Describe how students will be provided with financial aid literacy.
C. Student Advising
Upload proposed advising script used by staff.

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A. Required State Board Consultation
Acknowledgement that the Governor will consult the State Workforce Board.

Section VIII - Attestations
Under §§690.96–97, programs may lose eligibility for:
- Falling below 70% completion or placement
- Tuition/fees exceeding value‑added earnings
- Value‑added earnings ≤ 0
- Loss of Governor approval
Institution Attestation
The applicant agrees to provide: information on students enrolled in the program, including completers, student location data, tuition / fee data.

The authorized signatory attests that:
- All information is true and complete
- Provider agrees to all reporting and data-sharing requirements
- Provider understands performance requirements and potential loss of eligibility
- Provider understands tuition/fee compliance with value‑added earnings
- Provider agrees to maintain all documentation for audit and federal review
Institution attests to the above.

Name of Person Attesting to These Terms

First NameLast Name
Signature- Authorized Signatory for the Institution
Should be Empty:

Rows	Trainings Site Name	Street Address	Street Address 2	City	State / Province	Postal / Zip Code
Training Site 1
Training Site 2
Training Site 3
Training Site 4
Training Site 5
Training Site 6

Illinois Workforce Pell Application

Section I - Provider Information

A. Provider Information

B. Provider Address & Contact

C. Title IV Compliance History

Section II - Program Information

A. Program Overview

B Instructional Delivery

Section III - Curriculum & Competencies

A. Curriculum Evidence

B. Credentialing

C. Articulation & Credit Award

Credit Award Mapping

Written Credit Agreements

D. Stackability and Portability Requirements

Section IV - Occupational Alignment

A. Eligible Occupation Verification

B. Employer Validation

Section V - Program Costs

A. Tuition & Fees

B. Attestation on Cost Structure

Section VI - Performance and Outcome Data

A. Completion Rate (≥70%)

B. Job Placement Rate (≥70%)

C. Documentation Uploads

Section VII - Non-Federal Aid Monitoring Plan and Student Support

A. Monitoring Procedures

B. Student COA Adjustment Process

C. Student Advising

A. Required State Board Consultation

Section VIII - Attestations