May 15, 2024

Leading the news this week: Following four short-term extensions, Congress officially passed the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) reauthorization earlier this afternoon with an overwhelming 387-26 vote in the House. Notably, the bill includes a controversial provision to increase round-trip flights to Reagan National Airport, along with a stipulation ensuring that travel credits remain valid for at least five years.

Now let's dive into the latest news in higher education!

FY 2024 Eligibility Matrix

The Department of Education (ED) recently published the FY 2024 Eligibility Matrix for Titles III and V grant programs. The matrix is published each fiscal year and consists of programmatic lists of institutions that meet the definitions of the program areas for Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institutions (AANAPISIs), Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions (ANNH), Hispanic Serving Institutions (HSIs), Native American Serving Non-Tribal Institutions (NASNTIs), and/or Predominantly Black Institutions (PBIs) as well as the Strengthening Institutions Program (SIP).

The FY 2024 Eligibility Matrix also includes the statutory lists of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs). 

Appropriations Coalition Letter 

ACCT joined a coalition of 698 organizations in sending a letter to Congressional Appropriations Leaders, urging them to increase the FY 2025 allocation for the Labor-HHS-Education Subcommittee to a level that ensures robust and sustained investments in critical programs that meet vital needs.

To read the full letter, click here. 

Higher Ed Legal Issues Update Webinar  

Join ACCT’s panel of Higher Ed legal practitioners as they provide a comprehensive and interactive update on four of the leading legal issues currently facing Higher Ed Institutions in the areas of (1) Artificial Intelligence; (2) The new and long-awaited Title IX Education Department Regulations; (3) The new Federal Minimum Wage/Overtime Regulations; and (4) First Amendment Litigation issues facing Higher Ed Institutions.

The webinar will take place Wednesday, June 5 from 2:00 - 3:30 pm ET.  To register, click here. 

• Accepting applications on a rolling basis - SNAP Employment and Training (E&T) Cohort 2 Applications
• June 5 - Higher Ed Legal Issues Update Webinar  

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:

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.

Please encourage your fellow trustees, presidents and colleagues to stay up to date about legislation that affects their community colleges by joining the Latest Action in Washington (LAW) Alert network. To join, simply register here. 

For more community college news from inside the beltway, follow us on Twitter and LinkedIn, or like us Facebook.