Short-Term Students, Big Challenges: Why We Must Rethink Support Structures

Too many adults, such as those with some college but no degree, career changers, caregivers, and low-income workers, find themselves locked out of opportunities to upskill quickly and affordably. That’s about to change.

A reform included in the new federal budget will expand Pell Grant eligibility to short-term, high-quality training programs lasting as little as 8 to 15 weeks. That could mean increased enrollment in certificate programs at community colleges and technical schools.

Why the Workforce Pell Expansion Matters for Adult Learners

• Flexible access to meaningful credentials. By lowering the eligibility threshold, Pell Grants will open up certified training in fields like IT, construction, or healthcare, empowering learners to use Pell funding to gain workforce-ready skills.

  
  

• Closing gaps in equity and access. Many adult learners, especially those from low-income backgrounds, cannot afford lengthy programs. This expansion could make short-term credentialing financially viable for them. (Related Reading: Career Readiness and Mental Health - Navigating the Overlap)

  
  

• Meeting urgent labor needs. As some industries face workforce shortages, short-term programs can serve as nimble pipelines to meet local demand quickly and efficiently.

A Call to Action: Build Support, Ensure Quality

While expanded Pell Grants open new doors, funding alone is not enough. Adult learners in short-term programs often exist on the margins of higher education.

Research shows they are less likely to use or even be aware of traditional student services such as advising, tutoring, and counseling. Many work full-time, have dependents, or take all or most of their classes online or outside of the college's business hours, making them “invisible students” on campus.

Colleges must create intentional support structures for students enrolled in short-term certificate programs. Key actions include:

• Dedicated advising and success coaching: Provide short-term certificate learners with advisors who understand the unique pressures of balancing work, family, and accelerated coursework.

  
  

• Flexible and virtual access to services: Offer online, evening, and weekend appointments for advising, tutoring, and counseling to accommodate diverse schedules.

  
  

• Streamlined pathways and clear guidance: Ensure students know exactly how to navigate enrollment, course sequencing, and completion requirements for short-term programs.

  
  

• Wraparound support connections: Link short-term certificate learners to childcare, transportation, and financial literacy resources to reduce barriers outside the classroom.

  
  

• Targeted outreach and communication: Proactively engage short-term certificate learners who might otherwise remain invisible, ensuring they are aware of available resources and services.

Without these structures, short-term certificate learners risk enrolling but not completing, undermining the potential of the Pell expansion. Colleges have a historic opportunity to make these students more visible, supported, and successful, but it requires intentional design and action.

NOTE: DC Education Group is leading a coalition of colleges to study the needs of this unique group of students and design tailored and research-backed resources. If your college is interested in collaborating on this work, email us today at info@dceducationgroup.com.