; and (II) the median earnings of students who complete such program, calculated based on earnings approximately 6 months after completing such program, subject to clause (ii). (ii) Exclusion An eligible institution of higher education offering a program has been approved as an eligible workforce program under this paragraph may exclude from the calculation under clause (i)(II) any students who are enrolled in any eligible program (as such term is defined in this subsection) at the time that earnings are evaluated under clause (i)(II). (iii) Date of effect The requirement under this paragraph shall take effect beginning on the date that is 18 months after the date the program has been approved as an eligible workforce program under this paragraph. (C) Appeals process The Secretary shall establish an appeals process to permit any program has been approved as an eligible workforce program under this paragraph to submit alternate earnings data to comply with subparagraph (A)(ix) or subparagraph (B), provided that such data are statistically rigorous, accurate, comparable, and representative of students who receive a Workforce Pell Grant, and enroll in and complete the program. (D) Approval by the secretary (i) Initial eligibility (I) In general In the case of a program that is seeking to establish initial eligibility as an eligible workforce program under this paragraph, the Secretary shall make a determination whether the program meets the requirements of this paragraph not more than 120 days after the date on which such program is submitted for consideration as an eligible workforce program. If the Secretary determines the program meets the requirements of this paragraph, the Secretary shall grant an initial period of approval of 2 years. (II) Additional state assurance The Secretary shall not determine that a program is an eligible workforce program in accordance with subclause (I) unless the Secretary receives a certification from the State in which the eligible workforce program is provided, containing an