Federal Workforce Pell Grant Rule Published Ahead of July Launch
The U.S. Department of Education published the final rule for the Workforce Pell Grant program in the Federal Register on May 19, completing the regulatory framework that will extend federal financial aid to short-term collision repair and automotive technician training programs. Most provisions take effect July 20, 2026, though institutions may begin implementation as early as July 1 at their discretion.
To qualify, programs must be between 150 and 599 clock hours, run eight to 15 weeks, and meet annual completion and employment rate thresholds of 70%. Programs must receive approval from their state governor before applying to the Department of Education; states are moving at different speeds on that process. North Carolina published its approval policy in May, while others have not yet done so.
Shops looking to pipeline candidates into the program can reach out to local community colleges or technical schools offering collision repair certificate programs and ask whether they have applied for Workforce Pell eligibility. The rule also allows accredited institutions to enter written arrangements with employers to provide up to 25% of an eligible program, and Registered Apprenticeship Program sponsors up to 49%.
Puget Collision Acquires Fix Auto USA Franchisee
Puget Collision has acquired a six-location Fix Auto USA franchise operated by Richard Fish with locations across San Diego and Orange Counties, Calif. Puget Collision’s acquisition-driven expansion strategy is backed by Atlanta-based private equity firm Eagle Merchant Partners (Eagle) and increases the platform’s footprint to 72 collision repair locations across the United States.
Founded in 2022, Puget Collision operates collision repair centers within the CARSTAR and Fix Auto franchise systems.
“This transaction reflects Eagle’s strategy of backing proven operators in a highly fragmented and resilient industry with a clear opportunity for unit growth,” said Drew Foster, Eagle Merchant Partners.
Collision Engineering Celebrates National Apprenticeship Week with the Department of Labor
In honor of National Apprenticeship Week, the Collision Engineering Career Alliance hosted an apprenticeship recognition signing ceremony with the Department of Labor Office of Apprenticeship at Metropolitan Community College. The event brought together program graduates, instructors, local employers and industry partners to celebrate Collision Engineering’s achievement as a federally registered apprenticeship program.
Collision Engineering announced in March that the U.S. Department of Labor recognized its apprenticeship model as the national standard for training and certifying collision engineering technicians. This approval applies across all Collision Engineering partner schools nationwide, establishing a unified, federally recognized framework at a time when the collision repair industry continues to face a growing shortage of skilled talent.
CAWA Announces 2026 Scholarship Winners
CAWA, representing the Automotive Parts Industry, announce the recipients of its 2026 scholarship awards. CAWA provided over $14,000 in scholarships this year to 14 students.
Recipients of this year’s scholarships are:
- Luisfernando Munoz, Mort Schwartz Award, Citrus College
- Hudson Kimmel, McPherson College
- Endenilson Sorto Pleitez, DeAnza College
- Thanh Tuan Kiet Lam, Cal Poly Pomona
- Emmanuel Gonzalez de la Cruz, Chabot College
- Isabel Tuman, Weber State University
- Chu Ern Munina Lam, Pasadena City College
- Quoc Hung Pham, DeAnza College
- Saibien Hamilton, Butte College
- Gavin Johnson, Yavapai College
- Taijai Carson, Victor Valley College
- Ahmad Tamim Sultani, Chabot College
- Minkaug Htet San, Skyline College
- Marcello Dean, McPherson College
Scholarship funding comes from CAWA individual members, companies and a grant provided by the University of the Aftermarket Foundation. To contribute to the Association's scholarship fund or to donate prizes for the annual fundraising auction, contact Rodney Pierini at 916.635.9774 or admin@cawa.org or visit www.cawa.org.
NABC Recycled Rides Donates Vehicles to Two Army Veterans
The National Auto Body Council Recycled Rides® program completed two vehicle presentations this week, both honoring U.S. Army veterans.
On May 22, Gregory Backer — a 12-year Army veteran who completed two combat tours in Iraq and Afghanistan — received a refurbished 2023 Mitsubishi Outlander ES at Angelo's Auto Body in Irvington, NJ. The vehicle was donated by GEICO and repaired by Flawless Collision & Autobody.
On May 24, the day before Memorial Day, Army veteran Entoinne Johnson received a refurbished 2022 Chevrolet Malibu LT at Caliber Collision in McKinney, TX.
AASP/NJ to Host Claims Strategy Event June 24
The Alliance of Automotive Service Providers of New Jersey will present "New Rules, New Tools, A Shop Owner's Playbook to Win in Today's Market" on June 24 at the Holiday Inn in Clark, NJ.
The evening, designed for shop owners and managers, will cover business strategies for obtaining proper compensation on safe, complete repairs. Topics include right to appraisal, assignment of benefits, under-indemnification resolutions, customer-pays-the-difference arrangements, and third-party claims handling.
"Shops today are well aware that the rules to the game have changed," said AASP/NJ President Ken Miller. "Our goal is to provide our attendees with a realistic look at several approaches that can be implemented in the shop, with plenty of opportunity for discussion."
The event begins at 6 p.m. Member pricing is $35 per company; non-members pay $75 per individual. Pre-registration is required.
AASPMN Awards $20,000 in Scholarships to Automotive Students
The Alliance of Automotive Service Providers of Minnesota has awarded 23 scholarships totaling $20,000 to automotive service and collision repair students for the 2026-27 school year. Awards range from $500 to $2,000 and are funded through donations from the Minnesota State I-CAR Committee and proceeds from AASPMN's Annual Race for Automotive Education fundraiser.
Forty-one applicants from 17 schools were reviewed by an industry committee. Recipients were selected based on scholastic achievement, career goals, financial need, and written recommendations.
The full recipient list is available at aaspmn.org.
ASE to Host Free Webinar on New MVAC Refrigerants
The National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence is hosting a free webinar on June 4 at 4 p.m. ET covering two emerging refrigerants — R-444A and R-456A — that are expected to receive EPA SNAP Rule #27 approval later this year for use in motor vehicle air conditioning systems.
Presenters Chuck Abbot and Adam Kimmel from Orbia will cover refrigerant characteristics, applications, oil requirements, special fittings and equipment, and on-site recyclability. Participants in the live session will receive a certificate of attendance.
Registration is available at ase.com. Those who register but cannot attend live will receive access to the recorded session.
