S 864 — JOBS Act of 2021

Summary

Jumpstart Our Businesses by Supporting Students Act of 2021 or the JOBS Act of 2021 This bill expands student eligibility for Pell Grants by establishing the Job Training Federal Pell Grant program. Specifically, the bill requires the Department of Education to award a job training Pell Grant to a student who does not have a degree; attends an institution of higher education (IHE); is enrolled in a career and technical education program at an IHE that provides 150 to 600 clock hours of instructional time over a period of 8 to 15 weeks and provides training aligned with high-skill, high-wage, or in-demand industry sectors (i.e., job training programs); and meets all other eligibility requirements for a Pell Grant. It also specifies that any period during which a student receives a job training Pell Grant counts toward that student's Pell Grant eligibility period.

Bill Text

• Introduced Introduced in Senate Current html March 18, 2021

Compared against current U.S. Code AI-generated reading aid — verify against the official bill.

The bill establishes Federal Pell Grant eligibility for certain short-term job training programs.

• 20 U.S.C. 1070a

  (k) Job Training Federal Pell Grant Program.--(1) Definitions.--In this subsection: (A) Eligible career pathway program.--The term `eligible career pathway program' means a program that-- (i) meets the requirements of section 484(d)(2); (ii) is listed on the provider list under section 122(d) of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act; (iii) is part of a career pathway, as defined in section 3 of that Act; and (iv) is aligned to a program of study as defined in section 3 of the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act of 2006.

  This inserts a new subsection that outlines the definitions for eligible job training programs.

• 20 U.S.C. 1070a

  (B) Eligible job training program.--(i) In general.--The term `eligible job training program' means a career and technical education program at an institution of higher education that-- (I) provides not less than 150, and not more than 600, clock hours of instructional time over a period of not less than 8 weeks and not more than 15 weeks; (II) provides training aligned with the requirements of high-skill, high-wage, or in-demand industry sectors or occupations in the State or local area, as determined by an industry or sector partnership; ...(IX) shall include institutional credit articulation for a student enrolled in a noncredit job training program.

  This defines the criteria for what constitutes an eligible job training program under the Pell Grant system.

• 20 U.S.C. 1070a

  (2) In general.--For the award year beginning on July 1, 2021, and each subsequent award year, the Secretary shall carry out a program through which the Secretary shall award Federal Pell Grants to students in eligible job training programs (referred to as a `job training Federal Pell Grant`).

  This mandates a new program to award Pell Grants for students in specific job training programs.

• 20 U.S.C. 1070a

  (A) A student who is eligible to receive a job training Federal Pell Grant under this subsection is a student who-- (i) has not yet attained a postbaccalaureate degree; (ii) attends an institution of higher education; (iii) is enrolled, or accepted for enrollment, in an eligible job training program at such institution of higher education; and (iv) meets all other eligibility requirements for a Federal Pell Grant (except with respect to the type of program of study, as provided in clause (iii)).

  This establishes the eligibility criteria for students to receive job training Federal Pell Grants.

• 20 U.S.C. 1070a

  (B) The amount of a job training Federal Pell Grant for an eligible student shall be determined under subsection (b), except that subsection (b)(4) shall not apply.

  This stipulates that the amount of the new job training Federal Pell Grant will follow existing procedures but with some exceptions.

• 20 U.S.C. 1070a

  (3) Inclusion in total eligibility period.--Any period during which a student receives a job training Federal Pell Grant under this subsection shall be included in calculating the student's period of eligibility for Federal Pell Grants under subsection (c), and the eligibility requirements regarding students who are enrolled in an undergraduate program on less than a full-time basis shall similarly apply to students who are enrolled in an eligible job training program at an eligible institution on less than a full-time basis.

  This clarifies that time receiving job training Pell Grants counts towards the overall eligibility for Pell Grants.

Action History

1. March 18, 2021

   Introduced in Senate

2. March 18, 2021

   Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. (Sponsor introductory remarks on measure: CR S1648-1649)

Sponsors

• Tim Kaine · Primary

Subjects