You already paid for this training. Go collect it.
The Express Grant is the fastest of the fund's programs: courses are pre-approved, the application is short, and decisions come back in weeks rather than months. It exists because the state would rather you train your people than lose them.
Four steps, about three weeks end to end.
Three questions.
Thirty seconds.
Three documents. That is the whole file.
What we do, and what only you can do.
Grant questions, answered plainly.
Does my organization actually qualify?
If you are a Massachusetts employer with 100 or fewer W-2 employees and a physical office, factory or warehouse in the state, you almost certainly qualify.
We confirm eligibility and gather the three required documents (Certificate of Good Standing, Certificate of Compliance, W-9) as part of intake.
How does reimbursement actually work?
You pay for each course as your employee completes it, then we submit a reimbursement request to Commonwealth Corporation with the invoice and proof of payment. The state reimburses the full approved amount, up to the caps.
We provide every document you need and walk you through the first submission at no charge.
What are the actual caps?
Reimbursement is capped at $300 per instructional hour, $3,000 per organization per course, and $15,000 per company per calendar year. Our courses are structured to fit comfortably inside those limits.
Can I send more than one person?
Yes, you can send as many team members as you'd like at no extra charge.
Do trainees need to be paid during class?
Yes — this is a Workforce Training Fund requirement, not our policy. Employees must receive their regular wages while attending training. The fund exists to upskill working employees, not to subsidise unpaid time.
For a SCALE UP cohort that means roughly 2.5 hours of paid time per session, twice a week, for the length of the course.
Can I apply after training has started?
No. Approval must be in place before the course begins, which is why the practical deadline to apply sits about four weeks ahead of a cohort start date.
If you are close to a start date, tell us — we will either move quickly or point you at the next cohort rather than risk an ineligible claim.
What if my application is denied?
Denials are uncommon when eligibility is confirmed up front, which is exactly why we screen before you file. The most frequent causes are missing documentation or being out of compliance with the DOR or DUA — both of which we check beforehand.
How long does reimbursement actually take?
Roughly four to five weeks from the moment the reimbursement request goes in. You pay the course invoice, we submit the request with your proof of payment, and Commonwealth Corporation issues the funds back to your company.
So the sequence is: approval first, training and payment second, reimbursement last. Plan cash flow for that gap — the cost is covered, but it sits on your books for about a month before it comes back.
Is this connected to federal grant funding?
No. The Workforce Training Fund is entirely state-level and has no connection to any federal grant programme. It is financed by a dedicated surcharge on the state payroll taxes — specifically the unemployment insurance contributions — that Massachusetts employers already remit each quarter.
That matters right now because it means federal budget decisions, freezes and appropriations fights have no bearing on this money. If you pay state payroll taxes in Massachusetts, the fund you are drawing on is the one you have been paying into.
Is the reimbursement guaranteed once we are approved?
Yes. On approval you sign an agreement with the Express Program that commits the state to reimbursing the full approved amount, provided you complete the training and submit the required documentation — the invoice, proof of payment and attendance records.
It is not a discretionary award that can be withdrawn after the fact. Once that agreement is signed and you hold up your end, the funds are contractually owed to you.
Are nonprofits eligible?
Yes, nonprofits are eligible and often get more out of the training program than small businesses.
Let our grant administrator run it.
