January 24, 2024

Leading the news this week: After months of negotiations, the text of the new bipartisan and bicameral tax bill was unveiled last night. Named the Tax Relief for American Families and Workers Act, the legislation extends various business tax breaks, broadens the Child Tax Credit, affordable housing incentives, and natural disaster tax relief. To read the bill text, click here. 

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

FY 2024 Grant Designation

The Department of Education has begun the process to designate eligible institutions of higher education for Titles III and V grant programs, including Strengthening Institutions (SIP), Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander-Serving Institutions (AANAPISI), Alaska Natives and Native Hawaiian-serving Institutions (ANNH), Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSI), Tribal Colleges and Universities (TCU), Native American-serving Non-Tribal Institutions (NASNTI), and Predominantly Black Institutions (PBI) in fiscal year 2024.

The deadline for eligibility applications and waivers is February 27. Additionally, the Department will be hosting technical assistance webinars in the coming weeks: 

• January 31 at 3:00 pm ET - Covering the application process for institutions interested seeking eligibility designation for SIP, AANAPISI, ANNH, HSI, NASNTI, and PBI.
• February 2 at 2:00 pm ET - Covering the application process for institutions seeking eligibility designation as HSIs and emerging HSIs.

For more information, click here. 

2024 Legislative Priorities Webinar Recording 

If you couldn't join us for the 2024 Community College Legislative Priorities webinar last week, don't worry.  Access the recording, slide deck, and additional resources to prepare for NLS here for a comprehensive understanding of our federal advocacy priorities or watch below. 

• Accepting Applications on a Rolling Basis - CHIPS Incentives Program – Facilities for Semiconductor Materials and Manufacturing Equipment

• January 31 - Titles III and V grant designation webinars

• February 2 - Titles III and V grant designation webinars​​​​​​​

• February 9 -  Regional Technology and Innovation Hubs Program
• February 27 - deadline to apply for Career Skills Training program
• April 25 - Distressed Area Recompete Pilot Program

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:

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.

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