September 3,  2026

Leading the News this Week

ACCT is concerned about two proposals from the Department of Education (ED) on accreditation and grants, which have public comment deadlines approaching this month.  ACCT encourages community college leaders to submit comments. As you prepare, keep these deadlines in mind:

1. Monday, September 21: Accreditation -  Deadline to comment on ED's proposed rule on changes to accreditation. ACCT urges community colleges to participate in the public comment period​​. Read more in Inside Higher Ed here. Please be on the lookout for ACCT's draft comments to serve as a guide for colleges.
2. Wednesday, September 23: ED Grant Changes - Deadline to comment on ED's proposed rule aiming to change discretionary grants. Here are ACCT's customizable drafted sample comments to guide your submission.

Make sure to join us TOMORROW, FRIDAY September 4 for LAW Live at 1 - 2 PM ET, where we will discuss these and other federal updates.

Read on for more on the administration's efforts to politicize grants and change accreditation.

News in Higher Education

LAW is Going Live TOMORROW: Friday, September 4 at 1 - 2 PM ET

The ACCT Government Relations Team invites you to join us for our monthly webinar, Latest Action in Washington (LAW) Live, where we will cover the latest updates coming out of the Trump administration and Congress.  Register Today! 

The Department of Education Proposes Rule to Allow the Cancellation of Grants 

Amanda Fuchs Miller from Seventh Street Strategies authored a deep dive for ACCT in which she details what this proposal from the Department of Education would do to the community college sector. Read it here: Proposed Changes to the Department of Education’s Grant Rules Would Be Harmful to Community Colleges. For instance, Amanda explains that discretionary grants could be terminated " 'for convenience.' In other words, a grant could be cancelled in the middle of a budget period at the whim of any administration." The proposed rule could also "allow ED to prioritize applications that ask for lower - or no - indirect costs. Competitive preference points would be able to be given to applicants who either propose to use an indirect cost rate that is lower than their approved negotiated rate for their entire grant period or who use the de minimis indirect cost rate. This could put colleges that have fewer resources - such as many rural colleges - at a disadvantage. ...

"For community colleges that get formula funds from their states, such as Perkins Career and Technical Education and Adult Basic Education (ABE) funds, compliance with Executive Orders would now be required, as it already is for competitive grants from the Department of Education."

Take a look at our blog,  ACCT Now​​​​​​, for Amanda's piece. 

The deadline for public comment is September 23, 2026. Click here for ACCT's sample comments.

Congress Passes Bipartisan Funding Extension

On September 1, Congress passed a Continuing Resolution (CR) along bipartisan lines to extend federal funding at current levels until December 11, 2026, after the November midterm elections. The CR now heads to the president's desk to be signed into law.

Not only would this CR avert a government shutdown, but the bill will delay further action on the White House Office of Management and Budget (OMB) proposed rule that would allow political appointees to end grants for political reasons, significantly harming critical services for community college students. For more on the OMB rule, view ACCT's blog and formal comment. 

Meanwhile, the House and Senate are still working to advance all 12 government funding bills for fiscal year 2027 (FY27). In June, the House Appropriations Committee passed a Republican-only bill for Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education.

Thanks to strong advocacy by community college leaders and other advocates, this year the House bill protects the Pell Grant but makes other critical cuts to community college students. The Senate is still working to reach bipartisan agreement on top lines for defense and nondefense spending before it can release its individual spending bills. Read ACCT's blog and detailed program table on the latest education and labor spending bill.

**Take Action Now! Email your House members and Senators where you live, work, and serve students to urge support for top community college priorities.

ACCT Offers Guidance on Education Secretary McMahon’s August 3 Call to Action

On August 3, 2026, Secretary of Education Linda McMahon issued a national call to action in which she requested college presidents and governing boards to publicly commit to “rigorous teaching, pathbreaking research, and national service” by answering a series of questions asked by the Secretary. While much of the intent is for research universities to comply with this optional request from the Secretary, in its guidance, ACCT highlights that community colleges wishing to participate in the Secretary's request should take this as an opportunity to note that "they are open-access, locally governed, career-connected institutions built around affordability, student mobility, transfer, workforce preparation, civic learning, and community service." Take a look at ACCT's Vice President of Public Policy Carrie Warick-Smith's piece, Response Consideration to Education Secretary McMahon’s August 3 Call to Action, for ACCT's full guidance. 

Department of Education Unveils Proposed Accreditation Rule

On August 19, the Department of Education (ED ) published its proposed final rule to update the accreditation system (press release). President Donald Trump and ED have consistently discussed their plans to change accreditation to reduce barriers for new accrediting bodies entering the field and to make it easier for institutions to change their accreditors. Institutions of higher education must be accredited to participate in the federal student aid program. In these proposed rules, ED aims to implement the following: 

• Have institutions publicly disclose their credit transfer policies.  Institutions that elect to deny transfer credits must give a written explanation to the student and provide a cost estimate of how much it would be to retake the courses. Students would have 15 days to appeal the institution's denial.   
• Eliminate the two-year rule for accrediting bodies to gain initial recognition, along with what ED deems unnecessary documentation and site visits.
• "Shift institutions’ and programs’ focus towards cost-effective practices for staffing, facilities, student services, and program design" by having accreditors minimize administrative burdens and duplicative reporting.
• Require accreditors to implement measures of student and institutional performance such as completion rates and economic returns.
• Require accreditors to remove any geographic restrictions or constraints.
• Require accreditors to be neutral in viewpoint and ideology when making accrediting decisions and clarify expectations for "reviewing student achievement and faculty-related policies, including academic freedom and intellectual diversity."

ACCT intends to participate in the public comment period,  which closes September 21, 2026. 

This Summer and Fall: Invite Your Members of Congress to Campus!

ACCT's Toolkit to Host Congressional Visits

During this year’s long congressional state work periods in August, September, and October, congressional lawmakers return to their home states and districts to engage with their constituents and to pitch the many accomplishments they have made throughout the congressional session. Community college leaders have an optimal opportunity to establish, strengthen, or renew relationships with the lawmakers that represent their campuses and advocate for community college legislative priorities.

Take a look at ACCT’s new Toolkit on How to Host Your Member of Congress, which offers strategies to strengthen relationships with congressional lawmakers. On ACCT Now, read the blog, Community College Advocacy Continues All Year Round: Invite Your Member of Congress to Meet Back Home!

Remember -- you can use this time to:

• Invite your Member of Congress to visit your community college.
• Meet your Member of Congress at the congressional district office.
• Attend a congressional town hall, parade, BBQ, or other event that features your Member of Congress.
• Host a nonpartisan candidate forum, town hall, or tour with your Member of Congress or candidates seeking election for that congressional seat. If you invite a candidate that is not yet in office, you must invite all candidates for that seat and provide equal time, without endorsement.
• Invite your Member of Congress to speak at a program graduation or annual commencement.

Please contact the ACCT Government Relations team with information and pictures of your visit: publicpolicy@acct.org. We would like to uplift your member of Congress’s engagement with your community college to inspire others.

Congressional Visit Spotlight

Grant Opportunities

Please view this new ACCT Now Blog:  Don’t Miss These Grant Opportunities for Community Colleges This Fall!

Please view ACCT's new resource highlighting top competitive grant opportunities for community colleges. These below are the top highlights:

Advanced Technological Education (ATE)

The U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF) is accepting applications to improve the the education and preparation of technicians for high-technology fields that are critical to the U.S. economy. The program supports community colleges and their partners in developing STEM curricula, training faculty, creating career pathways, and strengthening partnerships with industry to prepare students for skilled technical careers in areas such as advanced manufacturing, information technology, engineering, energy, cybersecurity, AI, and other emerging technologies. The NSF anticipates up to 80 awards with award size ranging from $475,000 to $7,500,000. The application deadline is October 1st, 2026 at 5:00 PM applicant's time. Learn more and apply here.

Advocacy Note: This program is a significant national priority for ACCT. View the letter ACCT and AACC sent to Congress requesting an increase in total funding for this program nationally. 

Community College Internship (CCI) Program - U.S. Department of Energy Office of Science

The Department of Energy's Office of Science is accepting applications for the Community College Internship (CCI) program, a paid 10-week internship at one of 17 participating DOE laboratories and facilities. Students work alongside scientists and engineers on technical projects supporting DOE's science and technology mission, with internship terms offered in summer, fall, and spring. Applicants must be currently enrolled full- or part-time at a community college, have completed at least one semester with a minimum of 12 total credit hours (including 6 in STEM), and maintain a cumulative GPA of at least 2.7. Applicants must also be at least 18 years old and a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident. Participants receive a weekly stipend of $650, along with travel reimbursement and housing support. The application deadline is September 30th, 2026 at 5:00 PM ET. Learn more and apply here.

NSF State and Regional AI Infrastructure Hubs

The National Science Foundation is accepting proposals for State and Regional AI Infrastructure Hubs, which will connect researchers and students to AI computing resources and build a skilled AI workforce. NSF anticipates about 10 awards ranging from $4 million to $12 million over five years, with only one award per state or multi-state region. Hubs are structured as consortia of institutions of higher education, including community colleges, working with industry, philanthropy, and state and local governments, and must address workforce development, faculty training, and regional partnerships alongside infrastructure. The full proposal deadline is November 4, 2026.  Learn more and apply here.

• September 4, 1-2 PM ET -  ACCT LAW Live
• September 21 - Accreditation Public Comment Period Closes
• September 23-  Department of Education Proposed Rule Grants Public Comment Period Closes 
• September 30, 5 PM ET -  Community College Internship (CCI) Program
• October 1, 5 PM Applicant's Time -  Advanced Technological Education (ATE)
• October 2, 1-2 PM ET -  ACCT LAW Live
• October 21-24 -  ACCT Leadership Congress
• November 4, 11:59 PM ET - NSF State and Regional AI Infrastructure Hubs
• November 6, 1-2 PM ET -  ACCT LAW Live 
• December 4, 1-2 PM ET- -  ACCT LAW Live

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.

If you no longer wish to receive ACCT's Latest Action in Washington alerts, reply to this email with UNSUBSCRIBE in the subject line. For more information about ACCT's advocacy services, visit acct.org/advocacy

Spread the Word.

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