Requirements for Workforce Programs and Providers 

The eligibility criteria must be met by the institution and its workforce program for the 12 months immediately preceding certification. 

Institution Requirements: 

• Creation of an SC Works Online Services (SCWOS) account 

• Signed Program Participation Agreement (PPA), in compliance with 34 CFR § 690.93(f) 

• Compliance with all state licensure requirements and current licensing status 

• Be a legal entity 

• Be in good standing and current on state unemployment insurance taxes 

Workforce Program Standards: 

• A minimum of 8, but less than 15 weeks of instruction 

• Has a duration of: 

  • 150 – 600 clock hours 

  • 4–16 semesters/trimesters 

  • 6 quarter hours – 24 quarter hours 

• Not eligible: 

  • Correspondence courses (24 CFR 600.2)

  • Coursework that takes place as part of a study abroad program 

  • Credit or clock hour equivalencies that are part of a direct assessment program (34 CFR 668.10) 

(These items are verified by the US Department of Education.) 

Federal Performance Requirements: 

• Completion Rate 

  • Award years 2026-27, 2027-28, and 2028-29: at least 70%, within 150 percent of the normal time to completion 

  • Award years after 2028-29: at least 70%, within 150% of the normal time of completion, as determined under 34 CFR 668.6(f) 

• Job Placement Rate 

  • Award years 2026-27, 2027-28, and 2028-29: at least 70%, calculated as the percentage of students who are employed during the second quarter after exiting the program 

  • Award years after 2028-29: at least 70%, calculated as the percentage of students who are employed in either:

    • the occupation(s) for which the program prepares students, or  

    • a comparable high-skill, high-wage, or in-demand occupation during the second quarter after successful program completion 

• Value-Added Earnings 

  • Total published tuition and fees may not exceed the value-added earnings of program graduates who received a Pell grant for enrollment, completed the program three years prior to the current award year, and are now working. 

    • Determined by calculating the difference between the median earnings of program graduates the first full tax year following program completion, and 150% of the poverty line applicable to a single individual for such tax year. 

    • Published tuition and fees must be at or below the value-added earnings  

State Eligibility Requirements: 

• Provides an education aligned with the requirements of high-skill, high-wage, or in-demand industry sectors and occupations  

• Meets the hiring requirements of potential employers in high-skill, high-wage, or in-demand industry sectors and occupations  

• Provides either of the following: 

  • A recognized postsecondary credential that is stackable and portable across more than one employer; or 

  • Preparation for employment in an occupation with only one recognized postsecondary credential, which they are given upon completion 

    • Prepares students to pursue one or more certification or degree program at one or more eligible institution 

    • Provides academic credit that is acceptable toward meeting the certificate or degree program requirements 

Post-Program Requirements: 

• Each award year after program approval, the institution must submit to the State: 

  • A list of students who completed the program during the award year 

  • The information necessary to verify the job placement rate 

• After the one-year initial eligibility period, an institution seeking continued eligibility approval must submit the following in SCWOS: 

  • The Federal Performance Requirements data 

  • Any changes to the previously approved State Eligibility Requirements, including a current program description and contact information 

  • A current PPA for the upcoming award year, in compliance with 34 CFR § 690.93(f) 

  • All student data, as required in the state policy under Reporting Requirements  

• Each award year, the institution must report the published tuition and fees for the eligible workforce program 

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