California scrambles to offer new financial aid grants for short-term job training

The U.S. Department of Education plans to expand federal Pell grants to short-term job training programs starting July 1, but California faces delays due to administrative challenges. The California Student Aid Commission lacks the infrastructure to implement the program by the federal deadline, pushing availability to weeks or months later. The grants aim to fund programs like automotive mechanics and IT, with federal regulations requiring graduates to earn above-poverty wages in in-demand careers.