Topline Numbers are Still Undecided for Labor, HHS, and Education Departments, Uncertainty of When Workforce Pell Dollars Would Go Out, Settlement Between States and the Trump Administration Ends SAVE Plan
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December 11, 2025
Leading the News this Week
We want to take a moment to wish our Director of Government Relations, José Miranda, a farewell as he embarks on a new journey. Jose has dedicated nearly six years to advocating on behalf of community colleges, doing so with excellence. We thank him for his endless dedication to ACCT and its members. Join us in wishing him the best of luck.
News in Higher Education
Topline Numbers are Still Undecided for Labor, HHS, and Education Departments
To review, three of the twelve appropriations bills were passed into law with the passing of the Continuing Resolution that ended the government shutdown; the Senate and the House Republicans have agreed on topline numbers for six of the remaining appropriations bills; and the Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies (LHHS) and the other two bills' topline numbers are still under negotiation. The House and the Senate have until January 30th to send the final funding package(s) to the President's desk for enactment. Otherwise, there is the risk that the government will shut down again. Currently, it is anticipated that negotiations between the House and the Senate appropriations bills will take shape in January.
Uncertainty of When Workforce Pell Dollars Would Go Out
Tomorrow will mark the end of the first session of the Accountability in Higher Education and Access through Demand-driven workforce Pell (AHEAD) Committee, where negotiators across the higher education and workforce space hammer out the regulations that will govern Workforce Pell implementation for short-term programs spanning from eight to 15 weeks. Statute dictates that the Department of Education must begin accepting applications for Workforce Pell program eligibility by July 1, 2026; however, it is unclear when these programs would be approved by the Department and when states would need to submit their program list.
Join us and other workforce leaders on December 16 at 2 PM ET in our webinar, Preparing for Workforce Pell: Deciphering the Workforce Alignment Requirement, where we discuss and learn how colleges can make sure they are doing what they can to prepare for Workforce Pell eligibility. Register here.
Settlement Between States and the Trump Administration Ends SAVE Plan
While interest accrual was restored in August for student loan borrowers under the Saving on a Valuable Education (SAVE) plan, borrowers under this plan have not been required to make payments on their student loans due to the program being challenged in the courts. This week, the Trump administration announced that it has reached a settlement with multiple state attorneys general, led by Missouri, in which it would end the SAVE plan. As a result, borrowers under the plan will be transitioned to other repayment plans; the administration will stop enrolling borrowers in this plan; and deny pending SAVE applications.
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.
- 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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