Community Colleges

The U.S. Department of Education has approved just over 20 short-term workforce training programs at community colleges in six states, plus Pima Medical Institute’s Phoenix phlebotomy program in Arizona, for Pell Grant eligibility. The expansion creates a broader funding path for eligible students and potential service needs for education contractors, but no solicitation, contract award, or procurement value has been announced.

Massachusetts awarded $1.5 million in FY2027 TRAIN grants to all 15 community colleges, targeting workforce training for more than 500 unemployed or underemployed adults. The awards are not an open solicitation, but training providers and workforce contractors may explore potential partnerships directly with the colleges.

New Jersey's FY 2024 budget includes a significant $20 million funding increase for Middlesex County College, overshadowing the $20 million requested by all 18 community colleges. This allocation has raised concerns about the transparency of the decision-making process and potential political influences on funding distribution.

The Commonwealth of Virginia has awarded **$127,500** to Virginia Highlands Community College to enhance healthcare training. This funding, part of a **$189.5 million** multi-year initiative, aims to address rural healthcare workforce shortages and improve service access in Southwest Virginia.