Last updated: October 9, 2026. Florida became the sixth state with federal Workforce Pell approvals on September 28, 2026, when ED approved four programs at Eastern Florida State College (EFSC) (ED). For how the grant works nationally, see our Workforce Pell Grant guide.
ED-approved programs in Florida
ED's release confirms the four approvals and describes them by career: "Eligible students at Eastern Florida State College can now use Federal Pell dollars to enroll in programs that will prepare students for careers as firefighters, correctional officers, emergency management technicians, and more" (ED). ED doesn't list the program titles. EFSC's own financial aid page names them (EFSC):
| College | Program (as named by EFSC) | Start (per EFSC) | Approved by ED | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Eastern Florida State College | Basic Correction Officer | Fall 2026 | Sep 28, 2026 | EFSC |
| Eastern Florida State College | Crossover from Law Enforcement to Correction Officer | Fall 2026 | Sep 28, 2026 | EFSC |
| Eastern Florida State College | Firefighter (Full-Time Cohort) | Spring 2027 | Sep 28, 2026 | EFSC |
| Eastern Florida State College | EMT | Summer 2027 (summer terms only) | Sep 28, 2026 | EFSC |
EFSC says students need "A Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) for 2026–2027" on file and must be "admitted to one of the approved programs listed above" (EFSC).
No other Florida college has a program announced by ED as of this update.
Who runs Workforce Pell in Florida
Governor Ron DeSantis "has delegated Commissioner of Education Henry Mack to lead the statewide implementation of the Workforce Pell Grant." The Florida Department of Education "is using the Targeted Occupations List managed by FloridaCommerce and the CareerSource Florida Master Credential List to determine eligible programs" (Florida Governor's Office).
FLDOE publishes a state-approved Workforce Pell Program Inventory for Florida College System institutions and school districts (updated 8-27-26). Institutions that offer a program on that list must complete an institutional certification, sent to [email protected]. A similar process for institutions licensed by the Commission for Independent Education "will launch soon." Programs approved by the Governor then go to ED (FLDOE). Being on the state inventory doesn't mean ED has approved a program. Only the four EFSC programs above have ED approval.
Official page: fldoe.org/workforcepell
How Florida students apply
FLDOE: "Please note that not all institutions will have Workforce Pell eligible programs at this time," and students should contact a college's admissions office to ask (FLDOE). File the FAFSA, enroll in an approved program, and the school's financial aid office handles the Workforce Pell award. Under federal rules, the school flags your record as "Enrolled in Eligible Workforce Program" (FSA).