Maine colleges seeking approval for short-term training programs under the expanded federal Pell Grant student-aid program face a Nov. 13 deadline for the state's second review cycle, the Department of Labor announced.
The Oct. 14 notice invites eligible institutions to submit programs intended to prepare students for high-skill, high-wage jobs in fields with employer demand. The deadline applies to institutions, not students applying for financial aid.
The approval process has several steps. The State Workforce Development Board reviews submissions before certification by the governor and final approval by the U.S. Department of Education. State certification alone does not make a program eligible for federal grants.
Maine plans to accept applications on a rolling basis, with quarterly board reviews. The state says it will publish a list of approved programs within 30 days after federal approval.
Institutions can attend virtual office hours Mondays from Oct. 19 through Nov. 9, from 1 to 2 p.m. A program-design webinar is scheduled for Oct. 27 at 11 a.m.; registration information is included in the department's announcement.