As the Department of Education prepares to extend Pell‑style aid to short‑term workforce programs by July, higher‑education leaders on a New America webinar outlined major obstacles. Panelists cited stringent accountability rules, intensive cross‑agency data reporting, alignment across state workforce boards and higher‑education systems, and limited program readiness at community colleges. Administrators worry that ambiguous outcome definitions and the need for interagency coordination—especially between Education and Labor—could delay program participation. Colleges say the new funding stream promises critical support for healthcare, IT and manufacturing training but cautioned that states and institutions need months of rulemaking and systems work to operationalize eligibility and reporting.