July 23, 2026

Leading the News this Week

A recent Gallup survey funded by the Lumina Foundation reveals that one in eight adults rates four-year colleges as affordable. This narrative is quite different for community colleges. Overall, the public finds community colleges as accessible, affordable, and deliverers of a high-quality education. Click here to read our ACCT Now blog on how Americans view community colleges in a positive light.    

Read on for more news this week...

News in Higher Education

NEW: Grants Resource

ACCT's Summer 2026 Public Policy Interns created a list of federal grants community colleges should consider applying for that exist outside the Department of Education. Take a look at the different grants in this spreadsheet, including the Scholarships for Disadvantaged Students grant, which aims to provide institutions with funds to offer scholarships to students from disadvantaged backgrounds in health professions. Community colleges serving students aiming for an associate's in nursing can apply.    

CLICK HERE FOR THE GRANTS SPREADSHEET

Finally, when applying for a federal grant, always reach out to your U.S. Representative(s) and Senators for a Letter of Support. This is an opportunity for your Members of Congress to assist your college's efforts and help foster a relationship between the institution and the elected official.

CLICK HERE FOR THE TEMPLATE  

Judge Rules Grants Can't Be Terminated Based on Changed Agency Priorities 

U.S. District Court of Massachusetts Judge Indira Talwani ruled last week that the Trump Administration cannot cancel previously awarded grants solely because they no longer align with an administration's new priorities. The ruling interprets an Office of Management and Budget (OMB) termination clause that allows OMB to end grants if they "no longer effectuate agency priorities," finding that the clause only applies to priorities that existed when the grant was originally awarded, not new ones introduced later. The order applies only to the 23 states that brought the lawsuit against OMB and other federal agencies. 

The ruling is directly relevant to OMB's proposed grant rule changes, which ACCT and other higher education organizations have opposed and encouraged comments on ahead of the July 13 deadline. If finalized, the proposed rule would allow the administration to cancel grants based on priorities "as they exist at the time of the termination" -- the same interpretation the court just rejected. The proposal has drawn more than 490,000 public comments to date. 

Senate Introduces Bill to Expand Participation in AI Education, Research, and the Workforce

On July 23, U.S. Senators Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-DE) and Tim Sheehy (R-MT), both members of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, introduced the bipartisan Expanding AI Voices Act, which would help more institutions build AI research capacity.  Endorsed by ACCT, the legislation would broaden the range of institutions and communities involved in AI research, education, and workforce development. U.S. Representatives Valerie Foushee (D-NC-4) and Zach Nunn (R-IA-3) lead the House companion bill.

The bill would:

• Strengthen the AI workforce by supporting AI education, faculty development, workforce training, and student pathways.

• Expand AI partnerships among colleges, industry, nonprofits, government, and National Science Foundation (NSF) AI Research Institutes.

• Broaden access by supporting under-resourced institutions and increasing student participation in AI research.

• Promote responsible AI by integrating safe and secure AI practices into education and training.

• Prevent duplication by requiring NSF awards to complement existing federal AI programs.

For community colleges, the legislation could create additional pathways to participate in federally supported AI education and workforce partnerships, particularly for institutions seeking to expand applied AI programs, transfer pathways, and employer-aligned training. 

House Education and Workforce Committee Advances MATCH Act

On July 21, the House Education and Workforce Committee advanced the Modernizing Access to Talents, Credentials, and Hiring (MATCH) Act  unanimously during full committee markup, moving the legislation one step closer to a vote on the House floor. The legislation would help verify skills and connect talent to opportunity. The MATCH Act would specifically:

• Launch a five-year pilot for talent marketplaces linking workers to jobs and training.
• Support portable skills and employment records.
• Clarify the skills tied to credentials and training programs.
• Improve public access to workforce information.
• Promote open standards across states and institutions.

Higher Education and Workforce Development Subcommittee Chairman Burgess Owens (R-UT-04) stated that the bill would help close workforce gaps.  Full Committee Ranking Member Bobby Scott (D-VA-03) stated it would help states connect workers with education and job opportunities. Ranking Member Scott said bipartisan revisions added a five-year pilot, evaluation requirements, and worker protections. 

Professional Degree Definition to Continue at Least Until December 4

The court overseeing the nurse practitioner and physician associate groups’ lawsuit against the Department of Education’s (ED) “professional degree” definition has set a briefing schedule running through December 4. Because the case will be resolved by summary judgment rather than trial, ED’s June 28 interim guidance – which expanded the list of programs treated as professional degrees, including nursing – will likely remain in effect until a final ruling, expected sometime after December 4.  

Grant Opportunities

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

NEW: Due Tuesday, July 28, 2026, 11:59 p.m. ET - Scholarships for Disadvantaged Students in Nursing Associate's Degree Programs - 

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. 

Garrett Lee Smith Campus Suicide Prevention Program Grants

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) has announced the competition for $8.8 million for institutions of higher education to implement suicide prevention and mental health work. SAMHSA anticipates making 71 awards, with at least six awards to community colleges. The maximum federal grant is up to $125,000 per year for up to four years ($500,000 maximum). The application deadline is  Monday, July 27, 2026. Learn more and apply here.

• Monday, July 27, 2026 - Garrett Lee Smith Campus Suicide Prevention Grants Application Closes
• NEW: Tuesday, July 28, 2026, 11:59 p.m. ET - Scholarships for Disadvantaged Students in Nursing Associate's Degree Programs - 
• August 3, 11:59 PM ET - Rapid Reskill Employment Recovery National Dislocated Worker Grants
• August 7, 1-2 PM ET ACCT LAW Live
• September 4, 1-2 PM ET ACCT LAW Live
• 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:

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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