Not All Programs Have Had Funding Restored, Senate Appropriations Committee Markedup LHHS, DOJ Published Guidance on DEI, WEBINAR HAPPENING NEXT WEEK: Op-Ed How To On Community College Value
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July 31, 2025
Leading the News this Week
It has been nearly a week since the Department of Education announced that it will release over $5 billion in withheld funds meant for Title II Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) Adult Basic Education programming, in addition to K-12 programs. Yet, there are still programs waiting for funding to be released. Read on to the next section for more information.
News in Higher Education
Not All Programs Have Had Funding Restored
The Trump Administration announced that at the start of this week, it would unfreeze about $5 billion of withheld funds for programs that were under review. This is in addition to the $1.3 billion that were released the prior week. Yet, the administration paused a cumulative amount of nearly $7 billion; therefore, there are still a number of programs undergoing this funding freeze. This includes $52 million was meant to be directed towards the High School Equivalency Program (HEP), which offers migrant farmworkers and their families support to obtain their GEDs, and the College Assistance for Migrants Program (CAMP), a program that connects those students to college and offers them support during their first year. Meanwhile, the Trump administration released funds for the K-12 Migrant Education Program.
Senate Appropriations Committee Markedup LHHS
Today, the Senate Appropriations Committee held full committee markup of both the Defense and the Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies (LHHS) appropriations bills. At the conclusion of this markup, the Senate Appropriations Committee reported 8 of the 12 annual appropriations bills out of committee. Please join the ACCT Government Relations Team on August 8th for our LAW Live webinar (more information provided within the next headline), where we will take a closer look at the LHHS appropriations bill and what that can mean for higher education funding.
Meanwhile, the House LHHS subcommittee and full committee markups have been pushed to September 4th and 9th, respectively.
RESCHEDULED: LAW Live is on August 8th
The Latest Action in Washington (LAW) LIVE webinar has been rescheduled for August 8 at 1:00 PM (ET). During this one-hour webinar, attendees will learn about the latest developments coming out of the White House and its agencies, Congress, and the federal courts. Click here to register.
The Department of Justice Published Guidance on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
Yesterday, the Department of Justice (DOJ) released its guidance for recipients of federal funding to ensure they "do not engage in unlawful discrimination." Within this guidance, the DOJ provided examples of initiatives that they deem as legally risky with the stated intention of helping entities avoid violations. Moreover, this guidance listed out "unlawful proxy discrimination," which they state includes cultural competence requirements, geographic targeting, or diversity statements. This document does say that "the recommended best practices provided in this guidance are non-binding suggestions to assist entities in avoiding legal pitfalls and upholding equal opportunity for all."
Federal Workers' Union Asserts its Authority to Make Decisions on Personnel in Federal Student Aid
The union, the American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE), filed a grievance against the Department of Education, stating that the Federal Student Aid office, as a quasi-independent office of the Department, is authorized to make decisions regarding budget allocations and expenditures as well as personnel. Now that the Department is able to continue its downsizing efforts, the AFGE argues that it should decide which employees it ought to fire rather than having this decision come from Secretary Linda McMahon. Meanwhile, multiple lawsuits assert that the Department is struggling to perform its statutory duties.
WEBINAR HAPPENING NEXT WEEK: Op-Ed How To On Community College Value
Please join us on Aug 6th, 2:30 PM- 4 PM ET for the second session of the three-part Advocacy Training series with Sina Communications. In this webinar, Sina Communications will walk community college leaders through drafting op-ed pieces to help build awareness around the positive impact of community colleges, including via federally funded programs, on their regions. The focus will be writing with an eye toward community impact. Community college trustees, CEOs, government relations and communications officers are encouraged to attend. Click here to register and click here for additional information on this webinar series.
Please note that this series is for ACCT members only. Sessions will be interactive and will not be recorded.
Grant Opportunities
Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander-Serving Institutions (AANAPISI) Program
The AANAPISI Program provides grants to eligible institutions of higher education to enable them to improve and expand their capacity to serve Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander students. Institutions may use these grants to plan, develop, or implement activities that strengthen the institution's services, leading to student success. The closing date for this grant is August 13. Click here for additional information.
Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian-Serving Institutions (ANNH) Program, Part A
The ANNH Program provides grants to eligible institutions of higher education to enable them to improve and expand their capacity to serve Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian students. Institutions may use these grants to plan, develop, or implement activities that strengthen the institution. The closing date for this grant is August 13. Click here for additional information.
Native American-Serving Nontribal Institutions (NASNTI) Program
The NASNTI Program provides grants to eligible institutions of higher education to enable them to improve and expand their capacity to serve Native Americans and low-income individuals. Institutions may use the grants to plan, develop, undertake, and carry out activities to improve and expand their capacity to serve Native American and low-income students. The closing date for this grant is August 13. Click here for additional information.
Transition Programs for Students with Intellectual Disabilities (TPSID) into Higher Education
The purpose of the TPSID program is to support model demonstration programs that promote the successful transition of students with intellectual disabilities into higher education and to enable institutions of higher education (IHEs), or consortia of IHEs, to create or expand high-quality, inclusive model comprehensive transition and postsecondary programs for students with intellectual disabilities. The closing date for this grant is August 13. Click here for additional information.
Aug 6th, 2:30 PM ET - 4:00 PM ET: Op-Ed How To - Community College Value
Aug 8th, 01:00 PM ET: LAW Live Webinar
- Aug 13th, 2:30 PM ET - 4:00 PM ET: Navigating the Federal Grant Landscape
- Aug 13th: Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian-Serving Institutions Program, Part A Grant Deadline
- Aug 13th: Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander-Serving Institutions Program Grant Deadline
- Aug 13th: Native American-Serving Nontribal Institutions Grant Deadline
- Aug 13th: Transition Programs for Students With Intellectual Disabilities Into Higher Education Grant Deadline
- Sep 5, 01:00 PM ET: LAW Live Webinar
- October 22 - 25: ACCT Leadership Congress
Outreach Efforts
Is your institution meeting or hosting an event with federal elected officials?
We created a Congressional Contact Form that will help us track outreach efforts of community college leaders across our membership. By filling out the form, you are better informing ACCT's advocacy efforts and our advocacy team is able to continue those conversations with congressional staff in DC.
ACCT NOW is the go-to resource for issues affecting community colleges. Our new website features original reporting and research, as well as of-the-moment legislative updates. ACCT NOW also includes articles, reports, and research from outside sources that benefit the ACCT community. Read the Latest Articles on ACCT NOW:
Would you Like a Federal Update Session for Your Team?
Both this new presidential administration and new Congress have brought with them a flurry of developments in the federal landscape that can make keeping up a monumental task. ACCT's Government Relations team is here to help by offering a 45-minute to an-hour federal update session to community college leadership teams who are ACCT members. To request a session, fill out this form and please email publicpolicy@acct.org with any questions.
Have a Question?
Contact us with any questions or concerns about public policy and ACCT's advocacy on behalf of two-year colleges and two-year college trustees. ACCT's Latest Action in Washington alerts are sent to interested ACCT members to keep you up to date on important legislative activities that impact community colleges.
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