Omaha, NE – Pharmacy technician programs across the country could soon face major challenges accessing federal student aid as new rules take effect in 2026. These certificate-level programs—commonly offered at career colleges—are directly impacted by updated federal requirements tied to accreditation, program length, and graduate earnings.
According to federal guidance, pharmacy technician programs that are unaccredited, non-credit, or below 150 instructional hours cannot receive Title IV federal aid. Programs between 150 and 600 hours must qualify under the Workforce Pell program, which requires a 70% completion rate, 70% job placement rate, and tuition costs that do not exceed graduates’ measured value-added earnings from previous cohorts.
Beginning July 1, 2026, pharmacy technician programs must also pass the federal “low earnings outcomes” test. Under this rule, a program loses Direct Loan eligibility if graduates earn the same or less than adults with only a high school diploma for two out of three measured years. Because early-career pharmacy technician wages often sit near this benchmark—particularly in retail pharmacy settings—the risk of losing federal funding is heightened for many schools.
Administrators warn the changes could restrict entry into an essential field that supports hospitals, pharmacies, and long-term care facilities nationwide.
