Workforce Pell Grant Program Implementation
Summary
Maryland Senate Bill 509 was enacted on March 20, 2026, implementing the federal Workforce Pell Grant Program in the State. The bill authorizes Pell Grants for students enrolled in eligible short-term workforce programs and requires the Governor, after consultation with relevant entities, to determine program eligibility. Registered apprenticeship programs must incorporate specified curriculum components.
What changed
Maryland SB509 enacts legislation to implement the federal Workforce Pell Grant Program, expanding Pell Grant eligibility to students in short-term workforce training programs. The Governor must consult with relevant entities before approving short-term programs as eligible for Pell funds, and registered apprenticeship programs must include specified curriculum components.
Higher education institutions, workforce training providers, and registered apprenticeship programs in Maryland should prepare for new program eligibility requirements and curriculum standards. Educational institutions seeking to offer Pell-eligible short-term programs must comply with the Governor's approval process. Apprenticeship sponsors should review and align their curricula with the bill's mandated components.
What to do next
- Monitor Maryland Higher Education Commission guidance on short-term program eligibility criteria
- Review and update registered apprenticeship program curricula to meet statutory requirements
- Ensure institutional compliance processes align with new Pell Grant program eligibility standards
Archived snapshot
Apr 7, 2026GovPing captured this document from the original source. If the source has since changed or been removed, this is the text as it existed at that time.
ChangeBridge / Maryland / SB509 Passed SB509 Senate Bill Passed 2026-03-20
Higher Education - Workforce Pell Grant Program - Implementation
Implementing the federal Workforce Pell Grant Program in the State through which Pell Grants may be awarded to students enrolled in a certain short-term program; requiring the Governor, after consultation with certain entities, to determine whether to approve short-term programs as eligible for Pell Grant funds subject to certain requirements; requiring a certain registered apprenticeship program to include certain components in the curriculum; etc.
Bill Details
State Maryland
Session 2026 Regular Session
Chamber Senate
Official Source mgaleg.maryland.gov/mgawebsite/Legislation...
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Sponsors
Jim Rosapepe (Sen - D) Dalya Attar (Sen - D) Katie Hester (Sen - D)
Action History
2026-04-07 H Favorable Adopted Second Reading Passed 2026-04-07 H Favorable Report by Appropriations 2026-03-26 H Hearing 3/31 at 1:00 p.m. 2026-03-21 H Referred Appropriations 2026-03-20 S Third Reading Passed (39-0) 2026-03-19 S Second Reading Passed with Amendments 2026-03-19 S Favorable with Amendments {203323/1 Adopted 2026-03-19 S Favorable with Amendments Report by Education, Energy, and the Environment 2026-02-10 S Hearing 3/11 at 1:00 p.m. 2026-02-02 S First Reading Education, Energy, and the Environment
Votes
2026-03-20 Third Reading Passed Yea: 39 Nay: 0
Committee Referrals
2026-02-02 S Education, Energy, and the Environment 2026-03-21 H Appropriations
Amendments
2026-03-19 Favorable with Amendments 203323/1 Adopted Adopted
Bill Text Versions
2026-02-03 Introduced 2026-03-20 Engrossed
Subjects
Higher Education accreditation Apprenticeships and Internships Certifications Demographics Education Evaluations and Reviews Evidence Federal Aid Federal Government Fees Governor Higher Education Commission Industry and Manufacturing Job Training Recruitment and Hiring Reports Rules and Regulations Scholarships and Student Financial Aid Students Time Tuition Unfair Trade Practices Work, Labor, and Employment Advertising Applicants and Applications Committees and Commissions Communications Curriculum Data Disclosure Electronic Communication Ethics Independent Contractors Intergovernmental Cooperation internet School Testing Legislative data powered by LegiScan (CC BY 4.0)
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