April 27, 2026

Leading the News this Week

The federal government is moving to shift key student loan functions from the Department of Education to the Treasury Department, a change that would reshape how federal student loan borrowers repay their debt or must enter debt collections. The transition would begin with defaulted loans, before potentially expanding to the broader federal loan portfolio.

The move comes as federal loan enforcement is already ramping back up after years of paused collections.

Reminder: this Friday, May 1, at 1pm ET, ACCT’s monthly LAW Live webinar will host a special guest expert – former U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of Education Amanda Fuchs Miller – to share key updates and strategy for community colleges seeking federal grants. Please share with your institution’s grant officers. Register here and read more below.

News in Higher Education

College Groups Sue Over New Federal Crackdown on DEI Programs

Higher education organizations and faculty groups have filed a federal lawsuit challenging a recent executive order targeting diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) efforts among federal contractors, including colleges and universities.

The order, signed on March 26, 2026, requires institutions to certify that they do not engage in what the administration defines as “racially discriminatory” DEI practices in areas such as hiring, programming, and contracting.

The order directs federal agencies to incorporate requirements into contracts that ban DEI activities, meaning institutions that fail to comply could risk losing federal funding or face legal consequences.

Plaintiffs argue the policy is overly broad, threatens free speech, and could restrict lawful diversity initiatives, effectively forcing colleges to choose between maintaining federal support and continuing DEI-related programs.

Student Loan Collections Will Target Thousands This Summer

The Trump administration is preparing to restart collections on defaulted federal student loans this summer, potentially affecting hundreds of thousands of borrowers.

Under a planned Treasury Department–run program, about 500,000 borrowers in default are expected to be contacted starting in July, marking the first phase of renewed collection efforts after years of paused enforcement.

The move is part of a broader shift to resume federal debt collection activities, with borrowers at risk of actions such as wage garnishment and tax refund offsets in later stages of the program.

Officials have not confirmed final figures, but the effort signals a major escalation in federal student loan enforcement as repayment systems continue to normalize after the pandemic-era pause. Treasury has experience collecting other types of government debt, but does not have experience with the Higher Education Act’s process for borrowers to rehabilitate student loans or enter into other student loan repayment options the law allows.

U.S. House Community College Caucus Co-Chairs Reps. Joe Courtney (D-CT) and Gus Bilirakis (R-FL) Formally Introduce Community College Month Resolution.

Thanks to your advocacy, the resolution earned 33 bipartisan cosponsors this year, an increase from last year. View the press release and text here. The U.S. Senate unanimously passed the same resolution last week. It’s not too late to ask your U.S. House member to sign onto the resolution and join the Community College Caucus for the long-term. Click here for a sample email to your House members and Senators. If your House member or Senators already supported it, they would love to hear a “thank you” from you by email or on social media.

REMINDER: Friday, May 1, 2026, 1-2pm ET – Latest Action in Washington (LAW) Live: May's Edition Will Feature Education Grants Expert Amanda Fuchs Miller

The ACCT Government Relations Team invites you to join us for our monthly webinar, Latest Action in Washington (LAW) Live.

Register Today! Please share with your institution's grants officers.

Former U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of Education Amanda Fuchs Miller, President of Seventh Street Strategies and an expert in higher education grant programs, will share insights on the current federal grant landscape for community colleges. Community college trustees and leaders overseeing federal grant applications are encouraged to attend. 

At 1:30 PM ET, the ACCT Government Relations Team will provide the latest updates taking place in the federal government as they pertain to the community college sector. 

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:

TRIO Talent Search Program Grant

Institutions of higher education, such as community colleges, non-profits, and – with new emphasis in the FY26 funding cycle, state governments -- leverage the Talent Search Program to assist K-12 students from a disadvantaged background pursue and succeed in postsecondary education and job training opportunities. New this year: state agency applicants can earn 5 competitive preference points and larger awards. The program also focuses more this year on workforce development. Note that existing programs may still win up to 15 prior experience points if they have strong student outcomes. Community colleges may apply in partnership with a state agency and/or as individual applicants The closing date for this grant competition is May 1, 20226 11:59 PM ET.

TRIO Education Opportunity Centers Program (EOC)

DOL, on behalf of the Department of Education, announced the grant competition for the TRIO Education Opportunity Centers (EOC) program. This program provides counseling and information on college admissions to qualified adults who want to enter or continue a program of postsecondary education. The EOC program also guides participants on financial aid options, including basic financial planning skills, and assists in the application process. New this year: state agency applicants can earn 5 competitive preference points and larger awards. The program also focuses more this year on workforce development. Note that existing programs may still win up to 15 prior experience points if they have strong student outcomes. Community colleges may apply in partnership with a state agency and/or as individual applicants. The closing date for this grant opportunity is May 14, 2026, at 11:59 PM ET.

Strengthening Community College Training Grants

In this 6th round, the objective of  the Strengthening Community College Training Grant (SCCTG) competition is to fund community colleges aiming to build "program and system capacity for implementing and scaling access to short-term training opportunities through Workforce Pell Grants—i.e., promoting industry-driven strategies, worker mobility, and integration with the larger state workforce system (e.g., Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) partners) for statewide impact." The closing date for this grant opportunity is May 20, 2026, at 11:59 PM ET.

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.  The deadline to apply is May 29, 2026.

• April 28, 1 PM ET Webinar: Preparing for Workforce Pell - What Community College Leaders Need to Know Now
• May 1, 1-2 PM ET LAW Live Featuring Former U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of Education Amanda Fuchs Miller
• May 1, 11:59 PM ET TRIO Talent Search Program Grant Closes
• May 14, 11:59 PM ET TRIO Education Opportunity Centers Program Grant Closes
• May 20, 11:59 PM ET. Strengthening Community College Training Grant Closes
• May 20, 11:59 PM ET.  Deadline to comment on ED's Accountability Framework
•  May 29, 11:59 PM ET. Child Care Access Means Parents in School (CCAMPIS) Grant Closes
• June 5, 1-2 PM ET LAW Live
• July 10, 1-2 PM ET LAW Live
• 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.

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. 

For more community college news from inside the beltway, follow us on Twitter and LinkedIn, or like us Facebook.