August 28, 2025

Leading the News this Week

ACCT has been informed by national partners that several postsecondary institutions have received notices of discontinuation in funding for the Child Care Access Means Parents in School (CCAMPIS) program. While justifications for discontinuing grants mid-cycle differ by awardee, the overall justification is that the Trump administration has deemed that these recipients are implementing diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) or anti-bias programming and/or curriculum.  

If your institution has seen a discontinuation of CCAMPIS grants mid-cycle, please notify us at publicpolicy@acct.org.

News in Higher Education

ACCT Participates in Negotiated Rulemaking

Today, ACCT submitted its comment letter to the Department of Education asking that it include a community college representative as a negotiator in the Accountability in Higher Education and Access through Demand-driven Workforce Pell (AHEAD) Committee. The AHEAD Committee would be tasked with engaging in implementing the new accountability and workforce Pell provisions found in  Public Law 119-21, the "One Big Beautiful Bill Act." In addition to this ask, ACCT recommended that the Department align accountability requirements to existing ones, thus avoiding additional administrative burdens on our institutions. Similarly, ACCT urged the Department to spearhead data collection activities so that the onus of data submission does not solely fall on the institution. Finally, ACCT asked the Department to offer institutions clarity, guidance, technical assistance, and support with the implementation of Workforce Pell. Click here to read our comment letter.    

The "College Transparency Act"

Recently, ACCT has endorsed S.2511/H.R. 4806, the “College Transparency Act (CTA).” This bill aims to establish a secure and privacy-protected postsecondary student-level data system, which would allow the accurate evaluation of student enrollment patterns, progression, completion, and post-completion outcomes; assist with transparency, institutional improvement, and analysis of Federal aid programs; provide accurate, complete, and customizable information for students and families; and reduce reporting burdens on postsecondary institutions. At a time when Congress has enacted new accountability metrics and the Department of Education looks to take a more outcomes-based approach to accountability, CTA would be instrumental in helping students make informed decisions, it would allow institutions to adjust programs, and helping the federal government ensure federal funds support strong programs.

Student Aid Officers Worry Verification Process Would Block Aid 

The Department of Education's Federal Student Aid (FSA) office announced that it would check the identities of an additional 300,000 applicants with the deadline of September 13. The scale and the tight timeline of this verification process have student aid officers in higher education institutions worried that legitimate applicants would see delays or blocks in accessing aid. Moreover, there is still a lack of clarity on what happens when a student does not finalize the verification process by the deadline; currently, institutions are waiting for additional guidance.

Grant Opportunities

Please review the Office of Career, Technical, and Adult Education's Community College webpage for new grants community colleges are eligible for.

• August 28: Written Comments on Negotiated Rule Making for H.R. 1 Deadline
• Sep 5, 01:00 PM ET: LAW Live Webinar
• September 17: Public Comment Period for New Rules on PSLF Deadline
• October 22 - 25: ACCT Leadership Congress

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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