Indiana students could soon receive federal financial aid for short-term job training programs.

The new Workforce Pell Grant expands aid to qualifying certificate programs lasting between eight and 14 weeks.

Ivy Tech Community College and Vincennes University are the first Indiana schools preparing eligible programs, but officials say federal approval is still pending.

The grants are designed to help students quickly earn credentials for high-demand careers like healthcare, construction, manufacturing, transportation, and information technology.