Community college approved for Alabama’s first Workforce Pell Grant program

By Williesha Morris | wmorris@al.comGov. Kay Ivey’s office approved the state’s first-ever Workforce Pell Grant academic program this week. Lawson State Community College’s 10-week lineworker training program received approval for its “history of preparing students for careers in the utility industry through intensive, hands-on training and has produced strong completion and employment outcomes,” according to a news release.The new Workforce Pell Grant rolled out nationwide July 1 and provides financial aid to students interested in high-demand career training. Lawson State partners with Alabama Power to prepare students with 400 hours of training in pole climbing, power line installation, truck driving and ladder safety.“This approval is a tremendous recognition of the work our faculty, staff and industry partners have done to build a program that truly changes lives,” Lawson State President Cynthia T. Anthony said in the news release. Typical Pell Grants for two-year and four-year college students for the 2026-2027 school year are $7,395, according to the U.S. Department of Education’s Federal Student Aid office. The actual amount for Workforce Pell will be reduced because the classes are shorter.Ivey will approve eligible training programs based on the following criteria:Between eight to 15 weeks and must include 150 to 599 clock hours or the applicable equivalent in academic credit hoursMust prepare students for a job that’s on Alabama’s in-demand occupation list, such as nursing assistant or truck driverHave at least a 70% completion and job placement rateThe electrical power line installation and repair industry has an average of 265 available jobs annually, according to the 2025 Alabama Committee on Credentialing and Career Pathways in-demand occupations report. The average salary for lineworkers is $82,956. About 190,000 people nationwide are eligible for the grants, according to the Congressional Research Service. The program will cost $3.2 billion over the next decade. The Pell Grant financial aid program helps 7.5 million Americans every year at a cost of about $40 billion. Potential students and colleges can get more information at the Alabama Department of Workforce website. Morris is an award-winning journalist whose experience goes back 30 years. She's delighted to be covering libraries and higher education. She's also covered video games, accessibility and pop culture as a...