March 27, 2024

Leading the news this week: Congress is out on recess for the next two weeks, and once they return, we expect them to focus on FY 2025 cycle. One major shake up: House Appropriations Committee Chair Kay Granger (R-TX) is stepping down as chair.

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

Fiscal Year 2024 Minibus Spending Bill Highlights

Fiscal Year 2024 has been marked by a lengthy and chaotic appropriations process, defying expectations at every turn. Since its start in October of last year, Congress has resorted to passing four continuing resolutions, giving themselves more time to reach a final agreement on appropriations for the year. This Saturday, the Senate finally passed the minibus—encompassing the final six appropriations bills, notably including Labor-HHS-Education—just hours after the funding deadline. The legislation will fund the government until September 30, 2024.

The legislation failed to include top community college legislative priorities such as tax-free Pell. Notably, among our top appropriations priorities, there are very few increases. However, considering the massive program cuts and eliminations proposed last year, we are viewing flat funding as a victory this year. The bill includes $79.1 billion, representing a marginal 0.2% cut, in funding for the Department of Education.

Various funding priorities for community colleges are as follows:

• The Pell Grant maximum award was flat funded at $7,395.
• Child Care Access Means Parents in School (CCAMPIS) program was flat funded at $75 million.
• Basic Needs Grants were flat funded at $10 million.
• Strengthening Community College Training Grants were flat funded at $65 million. 
• Federal TRIO programs were flat funded at $1.2 billion.
• Registered Apprenticeships program was flat funded at $285 million.
• Postsecondary Student Success Grants were flat funded at $45 million.
• Adult Education State Grants were flat funded at $729 million.
• CTE State Grants received a $10 million increase to $1.43 billion.
• $1.01 billion, an decrease of $2.49 million, to assist Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and Minority Serving Institutions (MSIs) in the Aid for Institutional Development account.

A comprehensive factsheet and breakdown on enacted community funding project will be shared soon.

SAVE Plan Day of Action

Today, the White House launched the SAVE Day of Action to help increase enrollment to the plan. This income-driven repayment plan will drastically lower – and in many cases, eliminate – monthly payments for millions of Americans, ensure borrowers don’t see their balances grow from unpaid interest, and potentially shorten time to forgiveness. The Council of Economic Advisors released a new report highlighting how the SAVE Plan will help low- and middle-income borrowers, those in public service, and community college graduates, among other borrowers. The Department estimates that these changes will lead to 85% of community college borrowers  becoming debt free within 10 years of entering into repayment. 

ACCT joined more than 40 entities, including Federal agencies, private sector institutions, non-profit and member organizations, labor unions, etc, in committing ourselves to help promote the SAVE plan. We encourage all of our members to help promote the plan on their campuses to ensure student borrowers can find affordable repayment options and a pathway toward forgiveness. Those interested can access the SAVE toolkit here for additional resources.

Maximizing Federal Resources: Insights from FY 2024 & Looking Ahead to FY 2025 Appropriations

Join the public policy team of the Association of Community College Trustees (ACCT) for a timely conversation regarding federal appropriations on April 11, 2024 at 2:00 pm ET.

In his webinar, we'll delve into insights from FY 2024's final allocation levels and their impact on key programs. Plus, our panel of community college leaders, who have successfully secured community funding projects, will share tips for navigating and preparing for community funding projects in FY 2025 to help enhance your institution's application process. Register here. 

• Accepting Applications on a Rolling Basis - CHIPS Incentives Program – Facilities for Semiconductor Materials and Manufacturing Equipment

• March 11 - deadline to apply for Homeless Veterans’ Reintegration Program
• April 5 - deadline to students to apply for Fall 2024 White House Internship Program
• April 25 - deadline to apply for Distressed Area Recompete Pilot Program

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. 

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