º£½ÇÉçÇø's Paralegal Certificate program recently received approval from the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) to provide its curriculum to incarcerated students at Minnesota Correctional Facility – Shakopee under the U.S. Department of Education's new Pell-Eligible Prison Education Program (PEP). This approval marks a significant milestone for NHCC’s Paralegal Program, allowing it to move from its previous participation in the experimental Second Change Pell program into the permanent PEP program. To be eligible, the paralegal program must meet three major milestones: 1) an accepted application from the Minnesota Department of Corrections (granted December 2024); 2) HLC approval of the PEP application (April 2025); and 3) U.S. Department of Education approval of the final application (submission expected in December 2025). With this new approval, NHCC’s Paralegal Program is one milestone closer to reaching permanent status as a PEP, so that it can continue to offer its comprehensive paralegal education to those within the prison system and help them gain valuable skills and knowledge that can be utilized upon their release.
The Pell-Eligible Prison Education Program (PEP) was established under the FAFSA Simplification Act, which restored Pell Grant eligibility for incarcerated students enrolled in approved educational programs. This initiative aims to provide educational opportunities to individuals in federal and state penal institutions, promoting rehabilitation and reducing recidivism. Eligible programs must meet specific requirements for approval, reporting, oversight, and evaluation. By participating in PEP, º£½ÇÉçÇø is contributing to the broader goal of offering second chances through education, empowering incarcerated individuals to build better futures for themselves and their communities.
Many thanks to Mary Fenske and Kate Lovo (Paralegal Faculty), Dena Colemer (Director of Research and Institutional Effectiveness), and Kristi L’Allier (Director of Financial Aid), for their work on this project.