Minneapolis, MN – Law enforcement training programs—including police academies and pre-police certificate tracks—may face major changes to student access and program funding as new federal financial aid regulations take effect in 2026. These updates impose stricter requirements on short-term public safety programs and limit the availability of federal student loans.
According to federal guidance, law enforcement and public safety certificate programs that are unaccredited, non-credit, or below 150 instructional hours cannot receive federal Title IV funding. Programs between 150 and 600 hours must now meet Workforce Pell standards, including a 70% completion rate, 70% job placement rate, and tuition that does not exceed graduates’ value-added earnings measured three years after completion.
Beginning July 1, 2026, these programs will also be evaluated under the federal “low earnings outcomes” rule. Programs lose access to Direct Loans if graduates earn the same or less than local workers with only a high school diploma for two out of three measured years. Because many police officers begin their careers in entry-level, probationary, or part-time roles that may initially pay modest wages, some law enforcement training programs—especially smaller regional academies—may face difficulty meeting the threshold.
Public safety officials warn the changes could reduce the number of applicants entering law enforcement academies nationwide.
