LAW Update: Senate HELP Committee Advances College Transparency Act, New Grant Opportunities, and AI Legislation

July 30, 2026

Leading the News this Week

Today the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee overwhelmingly advanced the bipartisan College Transparency Act (CTA) by a 21-1 vote, marking a significant step forward for community colleges and a longstanding advocacy priority for ACCT.

The College Transparency Act would modernize the federal postsecondary data system by expanding student outcomes reporting beyond the current first-time, full-time cohort, which represents only a small share of community college students. The bill would better capture transfer, completion, and workforce outcomes while reducing duplicative reporting requirements for institutions.

The legislation passed the committee with broad bipartisan support. Senator Ashley Moody (R-FL) cast the lone vote in opposition, while Senator Rand Paul (R-KY) did not vote. Sen. Moody introduced but agreed to withdraw her amendment to add the No Aid for Ghost Students Act anti-fraud measure, after Chairman Bill Cassidy (R-LA) committed to holding a hearing and markup on the standalone bill in September.

The committee's action represents a significant step forward for the bill, which now awaits consideration by the full Senate.

To learn more about the College Transparency Act, check out these resources below:

Read on for more news this week...

News in Higher Education

Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee Advances Higher Education Legislation

In addition to advancing the College Transparency Act (S. 2511), the Senate HELP Committee approved several other higher education bills during today's markup, including:

S. 5046 – A bill to prohibit the transfer of certain offices and functions of the Department of Education to other federal agencies.
S. 3589, RISE Act – Legislation aimed at improving supports and educational outcomes for students with disabilities.
S. 4097, State-Based Loan Awareness Act – A bill to increase student awareness of state-based student loan programs and financing options.

The committee's action advances these measures to the Senate floor.

ACCT Endorses Expanding AI Voices Act

ACCT has endorsed the Expanding AI Voices Act, introduced by Senators Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-DE) and Tim Sheehy (R-MT). The bill would codify and expand the National Science Foundation's ExpandAI program, authorizing competitive National Science Foundation grants to help emerging research institutions build AI research capacity, including institutions outside the top 100 in federal research and development spending, Minority-Serving Institutions, Historically Black Colleges or Universities, Tribal Colleges and Universities, and consortia of eligible institutions. The bill would also support access to advanced computing resources and networking, fund AI-related faculty development and workforce training, and encourage partnerships among colleges, industry, nonprofits, and federal laboratories.

Workforce Pell Implementation Underway, Early Numbers Still Small

A month into Workforce Pell, Inside Higher Ed reports that only a small number of programs have qualified so far, though experts say it's too early to gauge the policy's full impact. The Congressional Budget Office estimates Congress will invest more than $1 billion in the program over the next decade, eventually reaching about 100,000 new recipients a year by 2034, with average awards of about $2,200.

To qualify, programs must have existed for at least a year, run between eight and 14 weeks and between 150 and 599 instructional hours, and meet completion and job-placement rates of at least 70 percent. Programs must also meet a "value-added earnings" threshold, meaning the cost of the program can't exceed graduates' income gains three years after completion. Colleges report that many existing short-term programs fall just short of one or more of these federal requirements, contributing to the slow initial rollout.

Department of Homeland Security Finalizes Rule Capping International Student Stays

The Department of Homeland Security finalized a rule that will limit international students to the length of their academic program, capped at four years, without additional federal approval. The rule, which takes effect September 15, also replaces the long-standing “duration of status” framework with a fixed admission period and adds new restrictions around extensions, transfers, changes in education level, and changes of major. Higher education groups have opposed the change, arguing that existing oversight already tracks international students and warning that the new process could discourage students from studying in the United States amid broader international enrollment pressures.

The timing is notable for community colleges: recent Open Doors data show international enrollment at associate's colleges grew 12.7% in 2023-24 after a 7.2% increase the year before, reaching 59,315 students, though this remains below the sector's 2016-17 peak of nearly 98,000. Community colleges also posted the fastest rate of international enrollment growth (+8%) of any institution type. A four-year cap could complicate enrollment for students pursuing longer academic pathways, including those combining English as a Second Language, remedial coursework, or transfer preparation with their degree program.

Grant Opportunities

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

Rapid Reskill Employment Recovery National Dislocated Worker Grants

The Department of Labor (DOL) announced a $50 million million competition for institutions of higher education to support innovative projects that rapidly reskill and reemploy dislocated workers into high-wage, in-demand occupations. There are 25 expected awards available, with award sizes ranging from $2 million to $8 million. Community colleges and other institutions of higher education may apply if designated as an eligible entity by their governor of they demonstrate to the Secretary of Labor the capacity to respond to a major worker dislocation. The application deadline is August 3, 2026. Learn more and apply here.

Brookwood-Sago Mine Safety Grants

The Department of Labor (DOL) announced the Brookwood-Sago Mine Safety Grants competition to support education and training that improves mine safety and health. Approximately five awards are expected, with grant amounts ranging from $50,000 to $250,000. Community colleges are eligible to apply either independently or as the lead organization in a partnership with other eligible entities. Projects should focus on emergency response and recovery training, instruction on new Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) standards, and training to address identified mine hazards, with particular emphasis on programs serving new, recently opened, or smaller mines. No cost sharing is required. The application deadline is August 18, 2026. Learn more and apply here.

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.

August 3, 11:59 PM ET - Rapid Reskill Employment Recovery National Dislocated Worker Grants
August 7, 1-2 PM ET - ACCT LAW Live
August 31, 11:59 PM ET - Brookwood-Sago Mine Safety Grants
September 4, 1-2 PM ET - ACCT LAW Live
September 30, 5 PM ET - Community College Internship (CCI) Program
October 2, 1-2 PM ET - ACCT LAW Live
October 21-24 - ACCT Leadership Congress
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:

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Proposed Grant Rule Would Add Burdens for Community Colleges and Put Federal Funds at Risk; Comments Due July 13

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.

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