May 21, 2026

Leading the News this Week

BREAKING: The United States Department of Education (ED) released several new FY 2026 grant competitions through the Office of Postsecondary Education this week, including the Strengthening Institutions Program (SIP), the Basic Needs for Postsecondary Students Program, and the Transitioning Gang-Involved Youth to Higher Education (TGIY) Program. The competitions include funding opportunities ranging from $250,000 to $5 million, with applications due June 23, 2026. 

News in Higher Education

APPLY by June 23! Strengthening Institutions Program (SIP) More than Triples to $366 million

The SIP competition is open to institutions with a large share of low-income students and low expenditures per student. To be eligible, institutions must have completed the eligibility application by April 23. The final eligibility list will be released in "late May." The SIP competition itself will provide nearly $366 million, providing an estimated 600 grants of $3-$5 million for five years each. Congress enacted $102,070,000 for SIP in FY26. 

ED continues to claim Minority-Serving Institutions (MSIs) programs are unconstitutional, and litigation continues in court. ED appears to be using one-time congressional flexibility to move funds from MSI programs to SIP, although it is currently unclear how much funding will be drawn from each MSI program.

While litigation continues, ACCT strongly encourages all eligible community colleges -- including MSIs -- to apply for SIP by the June 23 deadline.

This year, applicants may earn up to five points from one of these competitive preference priorities:

1) Career Pathways and Workforce Readiness,

2) Developing high-quality short-term programs that meet Workforce Pell Grant requirements, or

3) Advancing Artificial Intelligence in Education.

Applicants may also earn 0 or 10 points for serving a rural population.

ED Posts Grants for Basic Needs, 

Basic Needs for Postsecondary Students Program

The U.S. Department of Education Office of Postsecondary Education released $10 million for the Basic Needs for Postsecondary Students Program competition. ED expects to make 10 awards ranging from $1 million to $5 million to support programs that address students’ basic needs and improve postsecondary success outcomes. This year's competitive preference provides 0 or 10 points to state agencies or Native American tribes. Thus community colleges may wish to partner with these entities to increase their chances of winning funds. The deadline to apply is June 23, 2026, 11:59 PM ET. 

Transitioning Gang-Involved Youth to Higher Education (TGIY) Program 

The Office of Postsecondary Education also announced $5 million are available for the Transitioning Gang-Involved Youth to Higher Education (TGIY) Program competition. ED expects to make four awards through this initiative, which supports programs helping gang-involved youth transition into higher education opportunities.  Applicants can earn 0 or 10 points for this year's competitive preference priority: "Projects or proposals that will be carried out by entities identified, designated, or endorsed by a Governor or chief State education official for purposes of implementing the project or proposal." The deadline to apply is June 23, 2026, 11:59 PM ET. 

ACCT Urges ED to Treat Community College Students Fairly in Accountability Proposal

Thank you to everyone who used this week's ACCT Action Alert to submit comments on the proposed Earnings Accountability rule!

ACCT and American Association of Community Colleges (AACC) submitted joint comments to Under Secretary Nicholas Kent regarding provisions in the Accountability in Higher Education and Access Through Demand-Driven Workforce Pell: Student Tuition and Transparency System (STATS) and Earnings Accountability Proposed Rule. 

In addition to the joint ACCT and AACC comments, ACCT also joined a broader higher education community letter led by American Council on Education expressing similar concerns and recommendations regarding the proposed accountability framework and implementation requirements. 

Accreditation Negotiators Reach Consensus in Negotiated Rulemaking  

The Accreditation and Institutional Management (AIM) negotiated rulemaking committee reached consensus this week on proposed regulations related to accreditation. The next step in the process is for ED to formally publish the consensus rule, which will then be subject to public comment before being finalized. 

Throughout negotiations, stakeholders raised concerns about the potential administrative burden institutions could face under proposed transfer credit provisions that would require institutions to provide institution-specific rationale for transfer credit decisions, which could add additional burden.

Please stay tuned for additional information regarding outcomes from the AIM committee’s work and future opportunities for public comment. 

Senators Press U.S. Department of Labor (USDOL) on Workforce Training Budget

Acting Labor Secretary Keith Sonderling appeared before the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor-HHS-Education this week to defend the department’s proposed FY 2027 budget, including proposals to reduce discretionary funding while expanding registered apprenticeships, eliminating Adult Basic Education funding and consolidating multiple workforce development funding streams into a new block grant. 

Lawmakers from both parties questioned how the department plans to grow workforce training opportunities with fewer federal resources and raised concerns about apprenticeship expansion, oversight of workforce programs, and renewed proposals to eliminate Job Corps funding. 

Community college advocates continue to emphasize the critical role colleges play in workforce development partnerships, career-connected learning, and apprenticeship pathways.

ACCT Endorses Bipartisan Bill To Amend the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act to Establish a Career Pathways Grant Program

Association of Community College Trustees endorsed bipartisan legislation introduced by Sens. Maggie Hassan (D-NH), Todd Young (R-IN), Susan Collins (R-IN), and Tim Kaine (D-VA) that would amend the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) to establish a Career Pathways Grant Program focused on strengthening workforce training partnerships between employers and educational institutions.

The legislation would support partnerships between community colleges, workforce boards, employers, and other local stakeholders to expand career-connected learning opportunities and strengthen workforce pipelines in high-demand industries. The bill is intended to help students and workers gain skills aligned with regional labor market needs while supporting employers facing ongoing workforce shortages.

Grant Opportunities

Please review the Office of Career, Technical, and Adult Education's Community College webpage for other grants community colleges are eligible for. These below are the top highlights:

Child Care Access Means Parents in School (CCAMPIS)

The U.S. Department of Education (ED) released this year’s competition for Child Care Access Means Parents in School (CCAMPIS). This year, ED expects to make 148 awards between $150,000 to $1,000,000 for four-year grants to colleges with at least $250,000 in Pell Grant funding to support child care for parenting low-income students. Here is an FAQ from ED.  The deadline to apply is May 29, 2026.

High School Equivalency Program (HEP) and the College Assistance Migrant Program (CAMP)

New federal grant opportunities have opened for institutions serving migrant and underserved student populations. The Department of Education has opened competitions for the High School Equivalency Program (HEP) and the College Assistance Migrant Program (CAMP), both of which provide academic and support services to migrant and seasonal farmworker students pursuing postsecondary education. The deadline to submit an application for HEP and CAMP is June 12, 2026, 11:59 PM ET.

Basic Needs for Postsecondary Students Program

The U.S. Department of Education Office of Postsecondary Education released the FY 2026 competition for the Basic Needs for Postsecondary Students Program. ED expects to make 10 awards ranging from $1 million to $5 million to support programs that address students’ basic needs and improve postsecondary success outcomes. The deadline to apply is June 23, 2026, 11:59 PM ET. 

Transitioning Gang-Involved Youth to Higher Education (TGIY) Program 

The Office of Postsecondary Education also announced the FY 2026 Transitioning Gang-Involved Youth to Higher Education (TGIY) Program competition. ED expects to make four awards through this initiative, which supports programs helping gang-involved youth transition into higher education opportunities. The deadline to apply is June 23, 2026, 11:59 PM ET. 

Strengthening Institutions Program

The Office of Postsecondary Education opened the FY 2026 Strengthening Institutions Program competition to help eligible institutions improve academic quality, institutional management, and fiscal stability. ED expects to make approximately 600 awards ranging from $250,000 to $3 million. The deadline to apply is June 23, 2026, 11:59 PM ET. 

AI Upskill Accelerator Pilot grant opportunity

The Economic Development Administration (EDA) announced a grant aimed at strengthening workforce development and artificial intelligence training initiatives. Higher education advocates note these programs could provide important funding opportunities for community colleges seeking to expand student support services and workforce training programs. The deadline to submit an application is July 10, 2026, 4:59 PM ET via the EDGE submission portal. 

• May 29, 11:59 PM ET. Child Care Access Means Parents in School (CCAMPIS) Grant Closes
• June 5, 1-2 PM ET LAW Live
• June 12, 11:59 PM ET HEP Grant Application Closes
• June 12 ,11:59 PM ET CAMP Grant Application Closes
• July 10, 1-2 PM ET LAW Live
• July 10, 4:59 PM ET AI Upskill Accelerator Pilot Program Application Closes
• August 7, 1-2 PM ET LAW Live
• September 4, 1-2 PM ET LAW Live
• October 2, 1-2 PM ET LAW Live 
• October 21-24 ACCT Leadership Congress
• November 6, 1-2 PM ET LAW Live 
• December 4, 1-2 PM ET 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.

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