The Education Department has begun a one-time review of previously submitted 2026–27 FAFSA forms as part of a nationwide effort to prevent fraud in federal student aid.
New federal rules tie aid eligibility more closely to graduate earnings while making Pell Grants available for qualifying short-term workforce programs beginning July 1, 2026.
The Education Department has opened the Workforce Pell approval process for short-term training, but students must wait for program and state reviews.
The Education Department finalized a national earnings rule for college programs. STATS will phase in over time, with most provisions effective July 1, 2027 and the first earnings test calculated in early 2027. ([ed.gov](https://www.ed.gov/about/news/press-release/us-department-of-education-issues-final-rule-hold-all-colleges-and-universities-accountable-low-earning-programs))
