December 15, 2025

Leading the News this Week

The Accountability in Higher Education and Access through Demand-driven Workforce Pell (AHEAD) Committee reached consensus on Friday regarding the Workforce Pell regulations discussed in the first session of negotiated rulemaking. The second session, starting in January, will feature discussions on establishing accountability metrics for programs of study. Keep reading into the next section for more information.

News in Higher Education

Consensus Reached on Workforce Pell Negotiated Rulemaking

The AHEAD Committee's work involved consideration of the following for programs of study to be eligible for federal student aid :

• Have existed for one year prior to approval;
• Be eight to 14 weeks in length and 150 to 599 clock hours;
• Lead to a recognized postsecondary credential including a certificate or license;
• Be deemed part of an in-demand, high-skill or high-wage industry by the governor in the state where students will be studying;
• Count as credit toward a subsequent degree at one or more institutions in a written agreement;
• Not outsource more than 25 percent of the program to an unaccredited provider;
• Pass a federal value-added earnings test that says tuition rates cannot be higher than the difference between a graduate’s average earnings and 150 percent of the poverty line;
• Pass a 70 percent completion and 70 percent job placement test using state-collected data.

The outcomes of this negotiated rulemaking session first define job placement broadly, but by 2028-2029, job placement must be congruent with the student's field of study. In addition, after three years, programs will have to pass the value-added earnings test. Even with these details in place, experts have noted that there is still a lack of clarity around how states will calculate measures such as completion and job placement rates. It is also unclear how the states will evaluate the value-added earnings until programs have been in effect for three years.  

From here, these regulations will enter the public comment period before becoming the final rule.

Next session, which goes from January 5 to 9, 2026, will focus on the accountability metrics of H.R. 1, the One Big Beautiful Bill. 

HAPPENING TOMORROW: Preparing for Workforce Pell - Deciphering the Workforce Alignment Requirement

One of the components of the Workforce Pell legislation is that the eligible programs must prepare students for high-skill, high-wage, or in-demand industries, certified by state workforce boards. Most community colleges already partner with their workforce agencies and employers to ensure that their programs meet these requirements, but what are some of the nuances that can impact program eligibility?  Join ACCT and other workforce leaders on December 16 at 2 PM ET to discuss this and learn how colleges can make sure they are doing what they can to prepare. Register here.

Preparing for NLS

With the Community College National Legislative Summit (NLS) happening from February 8 to 11, now is the time to start thinking about how to best prepare. To assist you in this process, visit ACCT's website, where you can find resources that include a timeline of steps to take each month leading up to NLS, a short video guide on how to set up a meeting with members of Congress on Capitol Hill, and a federal funds worksheet that assists with narrowing down the key data points to collect for your Hill meetings.

Finally, join the Government Relations teams from both ACCT and the American Association of Community Colleges (AACC) on January 22, 2026 at 2 PM ET as we unveil the 2026 legislative priorities, known as the Green Sheet. Register here for the webinar.

Join Us in Advocacy

As a reminder, in this appropriations cycle, ACCT is advocating for members of Congress to fund programs such as Child Care Access Means Parents in School (CCAMPIS) and the Strengthening Institutions Program (SIP). These programs provide much-needed support for students and institutions.

To move forward with our advocacy and communicate with lawmakers the importance of CCAMPIS and SIP, we need your help! We urge you to please share with us how your campuses have benefited from CCAMPIS and SIP at publicpolicy@acct.org. 

Also, we call upon you to participate in our Action Campaign and let your member of Congress know the devastating effects should CCAMPIS and SIP no longer exist.  

Grant Opportunities

Please review the Office of Career, Technical, and Adult Education's Community College webpage for new grants community colleges are eligible for.

• December 16: Preparing for Workforce Pell: Workforce Alignment
• January 13: Preparing for Workforce Pell: Student Outreach
• January 22: NLS Webinar - Green Sheet Launch
• February 8-11, 2026: National Legislative Summit

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.

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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