E-LAW Alert: PSSG Deadline; Negotiated Rulemaking Noms; SAVE Plan

September 13, 2023

Both chambers of Congress are officially back in session. There are only 17 days left until the end of Fiscal Year 2023 and both chambers have their work cut out for them if they hope to avoid the first government shutdown since 2019.

Now let's dive into the latest news in higher education.

Reminder: PSSG Deadline

Postsecondary Student Success Grant Program (PSSG) applications are due September 25. The purpose of PSSG is to equitably improve postsecondary student outcomes, including retention, transfer (including successful transfer of completed credits), credit accumulation, and completion, by leveraging data and implementing, scaling, and rigorously evaluating evidence-based activities to support data-driven decisions and actions by institutional leaders committed to inclusive student success.

For more information on this grant, click here.

Time Sensitive Negotiated Rulemaking Nominations

The Biden-Harris Administration recent announced the are seeking negotiators to participate in public rulemaking negotiation sessions, commonly referred to as "negotiated rulemaking," this Fall.

ED is seeking nominations from 14 different constituency groups for the Student Loan Relief committee, which will meet for three virtual sessions beginning October 10. Specifically of interest to community college leaders, ED is seeking negotiators representing the following categories, each of which will include a primary and alternate representative:

Four spots for current students and student loan borrowers based upon the level of program attended. The Department is particularly interested in a variety of experiences with student loans and postsecondary education, including attending different types of institutions, receiving a Pell Grant, and borrowing a Parent PLUS loan.
Four spots for different types of institutions of higher education, including Historically Black Colleges and Universities and minority serving institutions.

If you know of any student or leaders on your campus that you would like to nominate, application are due by September 14^th. You can read more on the press release and in the unofficial Federal Register notice.

SAVE Plan Update

The Department of Education (ED) recently announced that it fully launched its updated income-driven repayment application tool on StudentAid.gov.

The SAVE plan will:

ensure that borrowers never see their balance grow due to unpaid interest as long as they keep up with their required payments.

halve the share of income that goes to payments on undergraduate loans

As borrowers prepare for repayment, ED is encouraging them to apply as soon as possible to have their new monthly payment amount reflected in their billing statement for payments in October. For additional resources, the Administration has released a press release and White House fact sheet.

July 3 - Prison Education Program (PEP) applications open on a rolling basis
September 12 - Latest Action in Washington LIVE Webinar
September 25 - deadline to apply for Postsecondary Student Success Grant
October 2023 - deadline to apply for Advanced Technological Education
November 14 - deadline to apply for Strengthening Community College Training Grants
November 30 - deadline for letters of intent for Climate Ready Workforce for Coastal and Great Lakes States, Tribes, and Territories Initiative

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.

We also put together an outreach toolkit and an advocacy guide to share best practices for meeting with elected officials and set your team up for success.

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:

Students sitting in a classroom with one woman student standing up and smiling while holding a book.

Establishing New Partnerships: Head Start and Community Colleges

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) E-Alert network. To join, simply e-mail publicpolicy@acct.org with 'LAW Alert' in the subject of the e-mail.