ETPL and Workforce Pell Q&A

This Q&A document compiles key questions, clarifications, and discussion points raised during recent Eligible Training Provider List (ETPL) and Workforce Pell meetings. It serves as a reference guide to provide clarity on procedures, expectations, and next steps.

ETPL Questions & Answers

Q: How can I tell when a program entered has been approved in ETPL?

A: You will see a WIOA stamp (shown at right) next to the program once the Division of Workforce Solutions (DWS) has approved it. 

Q: What does it mean if a program doesn’t have the WIOA stamp?

A: It could mean a number of things, such as the program is still being reviewed by DWS staff for approval, the program has expired and needs to be renewed, or the program may have previously been removed from the ETPL by the training provider.  Take a look at the Review Status column for additional insights to a program’s status.  If you have additional questions, please reach out to ETPL@ncworks.gov. 

Q: How do you know the status of a program already submitted?

A: The Review Status column will show “Pending” once you have completed all steps and submitted it. “Pending” means it is awaiting a decision.

Q: Is entering the wrong Community College ID a problem?

A: No — the Community College ID field (on the External Approvals tab) is not currently used for ETPL approval, so it can be skipped entirely.

Q: What happens when a program expires in the ETPL system?

A: You will receive a notification. You can still make edits, but DWS must be notified to reopen the program so it can be re‑approved.

Q: What should we do if we have questions or need support with ETPL entries?

A: You can email the ETPL inbox at ETPL@NCWorks.gov, which is monitored by Clinton Durham and his staff.

Q: Is the ETPL support inbox responsive for technical issues such as password resets?

A: Yes — the support team is able to reset provider users’ passwords.

Workforce Pell Questions & Answers

Q: To initiate our Workforce Pell application, do we just go into NCWorks, open our approved ETPL programs, and click “Yes” next to the question about being considered for Workforce Pell eligibility?

A: No. Selecting “Yes” alone is not sufficient—there are several additional required fields that must be completed before submission.

Q: Will new Workforce Pell applicants follow the ETPL workflow?

A: Yes. Brand‑new providers will go through the entire setup and approval process before their programs can be evaluated for Workforce Pell.

Q: What happens after a program passes ETPL review?

A: Once a program passes ETPL review, the NCWorks Commission will receive it and begin their review for Workforce Pell eligibility. Communication will continue from there.

Q: Does the program need to have been operating for 1 year before becoming Pell‑eligible?

A: Yes. Programs must have been offered for at least 12 months and must have been meeting all eligibility criteria during that year. The one‑year requirement applies to program operation, not the date the program reaches 150 hours or another threshold. 

Q: For the 70% job placement requirement, what data will be used? Will this be matched with tax or wage records, or will colleges have to track and report this themselves? And if a student doesn’t provide a Social Security number, will they be excluded from matching?

A: The NC Community College System is tracking job placement data for all community colleges. Wage and placement verification is performed through administrative data sources such as unemployment insurance wage records and federal tax data. Students without Social Security Numbers cannot be matched, which may affect countable outcomes.

Q: When institutions are missing required data documentation—such as completion data or employment data—where should they send their artifact requests?

A: Institutions should send all Workforce Pell–related data documentation and artifact requests to the North Carolina Community College System Office at:

wcerequests@nccommunitycolleges.edu.

Q: We are updating some programs like Welding to meet the 150‑hour requirement. Once the program is updated to 150 hours, do we have to wait a year to apply?

A: No, not necessarily. If the Welding program already existed and is simply being updated to meet the 150–599 clock hour requirement, you do not need to wait an additional year after the update. The one‑year rule applies to how long the program has been offered in total, not how long it has met the 150‑hour threshold.
If the program is brand-new or only recently launched, then the one‑year offer requirement still applies before it is eligible.

Q: Are correspondence or fully remote asynchronous programs eligible for Workforce Pell?

A: No. Correspondence programs are not eligible. Programs must meet standard Title IV definitions for instruction and accreditation.

Q: Is the North Carolina Community College System data in the Employment Outcomes report the data that will be used to determine initial eligibility and ongoing eligibility?

A: Yes. For community colleges, NCCCS data is expected to be used. The NCCCS chart is color‑coded to show which programs currently meet the thresholds.

Q: How long does it take for a program to receive Workforce Pell eligibility once submitted?

A: The U.S. Department of Education must grant eligibility within 120 days of receiving a complete application, provided all criteria are met.