March 14, 2024

Leading the news this week: President Biden's FY2025 Budget is officially out and it includes key priorities for community colleges. Congress has 8 days until the next FY2024 appropriations deadline, which includes the Labor-HHS- Education bill. 

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

President Biden Unveils FY 2025 Budget

This week, President Biden released his FY 2025 Budget, which outlines federal spending levels the Administration would like to see enacted by Congress. 

The budget requests $82 billion in discretionary budget authority for the Department of Education — a $3.1 billion or 3.9 percent increase from FY2023 enacted levels, which half the government is still operating on due to delays in passing FY2024. Of note: $90 billion over 10 years for a new mandatory grant program would go towards expanding  free community college across the nation through a first-dollar, federal-state partnership. These funds would provide two-years of free community college for first-time students and workers wanting to reskill. $7 billion in new mandatory funding for the Classroom to Career Fund for states to provide at least 12 dual enrollment credits to students while
in high school. 

It also eliminates student loan origination fees and increase the maximum Pell Grant by $750 ($100 from discretionary funding and $650 from the mandatory formula) for students attending public and non-profit institutions with the end goal of doubling the Pell Grant by 2029. Students attending for-profit institutions would see their maximum Pell increase of $100. 

As for the Department of Labor, the budget requests $13.9 billion in discretionary budget authority  — a $318 million or 2.3 percent increase from FY2023 enacted level. This includes  $70 million, a $5 million increase above FY2023 enacted level, to the Strengthening Community College training program enhance community colleges’ capacity to work with the public workforce development system and deliver high-quality training programs. It also calls for $335 million, a $50 million increase above FY2023 enacted level, to expand Registered Apprenticeship opportunities. 

For a deeper dive into the higher education components in the President's Budget, click here. 

Fall 2024 White House Internship Program

The White House Internship Program is now accepting applications on a rolling basis until Friday, April 5, 2024 for the Fall 2024 term.

Internships will be hosted in-person on the White House campus only and run from Monday, September 16th - Friday, December 20th 2024. Completed applications will be reviewed as soon as they are received, and candidates are encouraged to submit their applications sooner rather than later in the application period. For more information, click here. Interested students can apply here.

Connecting with the DOE - Fusion Energy Sciences(HEP &BES)  

The Department of Energy’s (DOE) Office of Science, a key supporter of fundamental research in the physical sciences and overseer of 10 national laboratories, is extending its outreach to institutions of higher education nationwide. They will hold monthly virtual office hours, open to researchers from all institutions, providing insights into the six research programs and two research and development and production offices. 

These sessions provide valuable opportunities for questions and do not necessitate any prior affiliation with DOE or its national laboratories. Each week leading up to the first series of office hours, we will spotlight one of the eight programs.

High Energy Physics (HEP) -  will hold virtual office hours on the third Tuesday of the month, 2-3 pm ET. Upcoming topics include:  

• Tuesday, March 19, 2024, at 2pm ET – Introduction to HEP and Program Mission   
• Tuesday, April 16, 2024, at 2pm ET – Funding Opportunities for Early Career Researchers    
• Tuesday, May 21, 2024, at 2pm ET – Technology Initiatives and HEP Core Research 

Basic Energy Sciences (BES) - will hold virtual office hours on the third Thursday of the month, 2-3 pm ET. Upcoming topics include: 

• Thursday, March 21, 2024, at 2pm ET – Introduction to BES Materials Sciences and Engineering Division – Organization, priorities, and funding opportunities   
• Thursday, April 18, 2024, at 2pm ET – Introduction to BES Scientific User Facilities Division – Capabilities and Access
• Thursday, May 16, 2024, at 2pm ET – Introduction to BES Chemical Sciences, Geosciences, and Biosciences Division - Organization, priorities, and funding opportunities  

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

• March 11 - deadline to apply for Homeless Veterans’ Reintegration Program
• April 5 - deadline to students to apply for Fall 2024 White House Internship Program
• April 25 - deadline to apply for 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:

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