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Bill

SB 509

Higher Education - Workforce Pell Grant Program - Implementation

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Dalya Attar and 2 co-sponsors

Maryland establishes need-based Workforce Pell Grants for career training and community college students to address skill gaps and expand non-traditional education access.

Passed Enrolled
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Bill Summary · SB 509

Legislative bill overview

SB 509 establishes a Workforce Pell Grant Program in Maryland that would provide need-based grant funding to students pursuing workforce development and career training programs outside traditional four-year degree pathways. The bill aims to expand access to financial aid for students enrolling in community colleges, trade schools, and other vocational institutions aligned with state workforce needs.

Why is this important

Maryland's workforce faces significant skill gaps in high-demand fields like healthcare, skilled trades, and technology. By extending Pell Grant-equivalent funding to non-traditional pathways, the bill could increase access to training for lower-income students while addressing employer needs. This represents a shift in higher education policy toward recognizing that not all career paths require four-year degrees.

Potential points of contention

  • Program funding and cost: No specified funding mechanism is evident from available information; unclear whether this requires new appropriations or redirects existing education funds
  • Eligibility standards: Questions about which programs qualify as "workforce development" and whether this could duplicate federal Pell Grant coverage or create administrative complexity
  • Market-driven vs. public interest balance: Determining whether programs should prioritize employer-identified skills versus broader educational access and student choice

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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