Indiana was recently approved for the second Workforce Pell Grant program in the country. Eligible students can now use federal Pell Grants to enroll in Ivy Tech Community College's eight-week Clinical Medical Assistant Program to train for critical healthcare jobs.
Through the federal Working Families Tax Cuts Act, qualifying students are eligible to use Pell Grants to help pay for short-term, accredited programs that open career pathways to in-demand jobs without taking on too much debt. Workforce Pell Grant programs must meet rigorous benchmarks for earnings, job placement and student completion to qualify.
While Indiana's healthcare employment has grown, more than half of the state's 92 counties are considered Health Professional Shortage Areas. In 2025 the General Assembly passed a law to help ensure Indiana’s nursing workforce can meet the growing health care needs of Hoosiers. It allows high school students to enroll in nursing programs and earn credits before graduating to save on education costs and start working sooner.
Credentials like Ivy Tech's Clinical Medical Assistant program are perfect for Hoosiers seeking training for high-demand careers that don't require two- and four-year degrees or taking on excessive student debt.
To be eligible for the Workforce Pell Grant, students must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid and meet certain income requirements. Click here to learn more about Ivy Tech's financial aid options, including Pell Grants.
To learn more about all of Indiana's job-training resources, visit in.gov/dwd.
