Austin, TX – Information Technology certificate programs—covering IT support, help desk operations, networking fundamentals, and cybersecurity basics—may face significant federal funding challenges when new student aid regulations take effect in 2026. These short-term technical programs, many aligned with CompTIA certifications, fall directly under strengthened federal oversight for certificate performance and graduate earnings.
According to federal guidance, IT certificate programs that are unaccredited, non-credit, or under 150 instructional hours cannot receive Title IV federal aid. Programs between 150 and 600 hours must now meet Workforce Pell standards, requiring a 70% completion rate, 70% job placement rate, and program tuition that does not exceed graduates’ verified value-added earnings three years after completing training.
Beginning July 1, 2026, IT certificate 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 workers with only a high school diploma for two out of three measured years. Because entry-level tech roles—such as help desk and junior IT support—can start at modest wages in certain markets, some programs may struggle to meet federal earnings requirements.
Training providers warn that reduced federal aid could limit access to foundational IT careers during a period of rising national demand for tech workers.
