JOBS Act Reintroduced in the U.S. Senate

Bipartisan bill would expand access to federal aid for low-income students to pursue a quality short-term certificate

Washington, D.C. — Moments ago, the bipartisan Jumpstart Our Businesses by Supporting Students Act of 2019, or JOBS Act, was reintroduced in the United States Senate. Cosponsored by Sens. Kaine (D-VA) and Portman (R-OH), the bill would expand access to limited federal aid for low-income students to enroll in quality short-term certificate programs.

In response to the introduction of the JOBS Act, Reid Setzer, Public Policy Director for Young Invincibles, issued the following statement:

“With tuition skyrocketing and the country facing a more than $1.5 trillion debt crisis, many students are looking for ways to gain marketable skills. They also want flexibility in how they can use their precious federal aid dollars to make the best choices for their needs. The JOBS Act will partially fund quality short-term certificate programs that have been vetted by federal and state governments, public educational providers, and local employers to ensure they are providing the important skills students need. A quality short-term credential can be a viable path to a financially secure future, and our financial aid system should support that possibility.

The JOBS Act would provide access to quality short-term programs via our federal financial aid system, and we urge the Senate to pass the bill immediately.”

The JOBS Act would make half Pell grants available for programs that:

• Consist of at least 150 clock hours of instructional time over a period of eight weeks
• Provide training aligned with the requirements of employers in a state or local area
• Are offered by an eligible training provider as defined in the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA), and are approved by state Workforce Training Boards
• Award program completers with a recognized postsecondary credential that is considered valuable by employers in relevant industries
• Provide academic content that will meet the hiring requirements of potential employers
• Satisfy any applicable prerequisites for professional licensure or certification
• Have been evaluated by accrediting agencies for quality and student outcomes