The Education Department this week circulated proposed regulations and signaled a July rollout for Workforce Pell Grants, forcing colleges and states into a rapid compliance sprint. The rule-opening follows legislation that expanded Pell eligibility to short-term, career-focused programs and leaves institutions with months to meet new reporting, completion and employment thresholds. Education Department officials, advocates and sector groups warned that many community and technical colleges lack the data systems and staffing to document outcomes quickly. Colleges must demonstrate program length, measurable completion and job-placement metrics; programs must be at least eight weeks but fewer than 15 weeks or meet a 600 “clock hour” threshold. That technical definition will determine which programs qualify and how institutions certify them. Sector leaders said the tight timeline could prompt rushed applications and raise concerns about program quality if institutions prioritize access to funding over program rigor.