Trump Expands Pell Grants to Pay for Fancy Certificates, Not Four-Year Frowns
KEY POINTS
- •On December 12, 2025, the Department of Education finalized expanding Pell grants to short-term credential programs.
- •Nicholas Kent said many Americans doubt the value of a traditional four-year degree due to costs and poor skill training.
- •The Workforce Pell program plans to let states define qualifying jobs to target local industry demands before July 2026 implementation.
On December 12, 2025, the Trump administration lovingly dusted off the Workforce Pell grant and declared, 'Four-year college degrees are so last decade.' Undersecretary Nicholas Kent admitted students think college costs too much and teaches skills about as useful as a flip phone. Enter 'big beautiful' spending legislation extending Pell grants to short-term credential programs determined by each state—yes, farmers might get scholarships for sheep herding while tech hubs fund quick fixes for coding. Meanwhile, expert Chris Madaio warns to avoid predatory schools hawking certificates like 'How to Not Be Broke 101.' Public comments open until July 2026, so start deciphering your local Pell-grant-approved career options, which might be more 'career-ish' than actual careers.
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Who needs a four-year degree when you can cram 'high-skill' jobs into a credit card-sized certificate bought with a Pell grant? Spoiler: students still won't find the skills they need—just a fancy PDF from the state farm.
Short-term certificates funded by Pell grants sound great until you realize States decide if sheep wrangling counts as high-wage. Welcome to job roulette!
Trump's 'big beautiful' Workforce Pell program: turning lifelong debt into a quick two-month trauma at 'Career College of Also-Ran.'
Source: Businessinsider | Published: 12/15/2025 | Author: Ayelet Sheffey
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