Mississippi Opens Applications for New Federal Workforce Pell Grants
Gov. Tate Reeves announced that Mississippi is now accepting applications for the federal Workforce Pell Grant program, which took effect July 1, 2026, after the State Workforce Investment Board approved a policy framework governing how the aid will be used in the state. The governor's office announced the step in a release dated June 30, 2026.
Workforce Pell allows students who are eligible for Pell grants to apply federal financial aid toward approved short-term workforce programs — some as short as eight weeks — at colleges that are eligible under Title IV of the Higher Education Act. Under the program, a training program qualifies only if it leads to a recognized credential and aligns with workforce needs the state has identified as priorities.
Reeves designated AccelerateMS, the state's workforce-development office, to coordinate the program and to review applications from institutions. The application window opened July 1.
State-approved programs must still receive federal approval before funds are released, the governor's office said.