Last updated: October 9, 2026. Texas was the fourth state with federal Workforce Pell Grant approvals, and it is tied with North Carolina for the most so far: six programs at Kilgore College and Weatherford College (ED). The state's higher education agency lists three more programs as federally approved. For how the grant works nationally, see our Workforce Pell Grant guide.
Pell Grant short-term certificate programs approved in Texas
| College | Program | Approved by ED | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kilgore College | Electrical Power Lineman | Sep 22, 2026 | ED |
| Kilgore College | Phlebotomy Technician | Sep 22, 2026 | ED |
| Kilgore College | Pharmacy Technician | Sep 22, 2026 | ED |
| Weatherford College | HVAC | Sep 22, 2026 | ED |
| Weatherford College | Basic Machining | Sep 22, 2026 | ED |
| Weatherford College | Advanced Machining | Sep 22, 2026 | ED |
ED: "At Kilgore College, students can now use these federal grants to enroll in Electrical Power Lineman, Phlebotomy Technician, and Pharmacy Technician programs. At Weatherford College, students can now use federal dollars to access HVAC, Basic Machining, and Advanced Machining programs" (ED). The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board lists the same six (THECB).
Reported by the state (not yet in an ED announcement)
Under "Federally Approved Workforce Pell Programs in Texas," THECB also lists these programs. We haven't found an ED press release that names them (THECB):
| College | Program | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Central Texas College | Pharmacy Technician | THECB |
| Texas Southmost College | Structural Welding – SMAW | THECB |
| San Jacinto College | Phlebotomy Technician | THECB |
We'll move a program into the ED-approved table when ED confirms it.
Who runs Workforce Pell in Texas
The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB) reviews and certifies programs first. THECB says its certification "does not constitute final approval," and that "Final certification and approval will be completed by the governor and U.S. Department of Education. A formal approval notification must be received from the U.S. Department of Education to begin WFP implementation" (THECB). As of October 9, 2026, THECB's institution application shows "Application Closed" (THECB).
Official page: highered.texas.gov/grants/workforce-pell-grant-wfp-program. Contact: [email protected] (THECB).
How Texas students apply
THECB lists the student application as "FAFSA – Enrollment into an approved WFP program" (THECB). File the FAFSA, enroll in one of the approved programs above, and ask the college's financial aid office to confirm your Workforce Pell award. Under federal rules, the school flags your record as "Enrolled in Eligible Workforce Program" (FSA).