Government is Shutdown, LAW is Going Live TOMORROW, Join Us in Advocacy, Appeals Court Overturns Ruling for the Restoration of the Office of Civil Rights, Technical College System of Georgia Receives Department of Labor Grant
No images? Click here
October 2, 2025
Leading the News this Week
The fiscal year is officially over, and with no agreement between Democrats and Republicans, the federal government has officially shut down. It remains to be seen how long the shutdown will last. During this time, government agencies are not operational, with the exception of work that is deemed essential. However, even essential government workers do not receive pay during a government shutdown and instead receive back pay once Congress has authorized funding for the new fiscal year to reopen the government.
In the case of the Department of Education, money for programs that include mandatory funding will continue to be disbursed, meaning that the Department will still distribute the Pell Grant while also expecting student loans to be in repayment. The office of Federal Student Aid is expected to remain open, meaning students will still be able to fill out the FAFSA. In addition, subcontracted operations like call centers for FSA will remain open but for now but on a limited capacity; therefore, contacting the Department for assistance may see delays. Civil rights investigations and grant-making activities will be paused through the shutdown; yet, current grantees will have access to funds that were awarded by the last day of the fiscal year, September 30, 2025. As has been the case in the past, the longer a shutdown lasts, the more programs and federal agencies that may be impacted by the closures, and the more likely it could impact our colleges and students.
News in Higher Education
LAW is Going Live TOMORROW
Please join ACCT's Government Relations Team tomorrow, on October 3rd at 1:00 PM ET as we dive into this government shutdown and what it means for community colleges. Click here to register.
Join Us in Advocacy
As a reminder, in this appropriations cycle, ACCT is advocating for members of Congress to fund programs such as Child Care Access Means Parents in School (CCAMPIS) and the Strengthening Institutions Program (SIP). These programs provide much-needed support for students and institutions.
To move forward with our advocacy and communicate with lawmakers the importance of CCAMPIS and SIP, we need your help! We urge you to please share with us how your campuses have benefited from CCAMPIS and SIP at publicpolicy@acct.org.
Also, we call upon you to participate in our Action Campaign and let your member of Congress know the devastating effects should CCAMPIS and SIP no longer exist.
Appeals Court Overturns Ruling for the Restoration of the Office of Civil Rights
Earlier in the summer, a lower court issued a preliminary injunction and ordered the restoration of the Office of Civil Rights (OCR) "to the status quo such that it is able to carry out its statutory functions.”. This federal judge found that since the Department of Education's Reduction in Force (RIF), the Office of Civil Rights (OCR) has been unable to open new investigations while also pausing existing complaints. The RIF has resulted in a loss of 55 percent of OCR's investigative staff as well as the closure of seven out of twelve regional offices, with a doubling of caseloads. Recently, an appeals court overturned this ruling. Now the Department of Education can continue downsizing its Office of Civil Rights as litigation against these reductions moves through the courts.
Technical College System of Georgia Receives Department of Labor Grant
Earlier this week, the Department of Labor announced $86 million was awarded to 14 states "to accelerate innovation, strengthen domestic production, and address critical workforce needs across the country." Amongst the recipients is the Technical College System of Georgia, which received $5 million to support advanced manufacturing, construction, and energy. The Department announced that "dependent on the availability of funding, the department anticipates additional rounds of grants."
Save the Date: Webinars on Dual Credit Pathways in Texas and California
Join ACCT's Center for Policy and Practice on October 9th and 15th as they dive into strategies and practices in building two dual enrollment pathways in the states of Texas and California. Below are the details for each webinar. Below is additional information for each webinar.
October 9, 2025, 2:00 PM ET
Building a Bridge to Opportunity: The Rise of Dual Credit Pathways in Texas
Since 2024, the Association of Community College Trustees (ACCT) has been working on a project that explored innovative state strategies for funding community colleges and building dual enrollment pathways. Join us for launch of the first brief that looks at Texas’ efforts over the past ten years to expand access to dual enrollment pathways for underrepresented students. Hear insights from the brief and learn from two key stakeholders that were involved when Texas made substantive changes to its dual credit policies as it reformed its community college funding formula in the legislation. Register here.
October 15, 2025, 2:00 PM ET
California's Bridge to Opportunity: Investments in Dual Credit Pathways
Since 2024, the Association of Community College Trustees (ACCT) has been working on a project that explored innovative state strategies for funding community colleges and building dual enrollment pathways. Join us for launch of the second brief that looks at California's efforts to increase access to this pathway through significant investments to expand dual enrollment to more high school students, both directly and by building dual enrollment into workforce, economic development, and Covid-recovery policies. Hear insights from the brief and key stakeholders in the efforts. Register here.
- October 3, 01:00 PM ET: LAW Live Webinar
- October 9, 2:00 PM ET: Building a Bridge to Opportunity: The Rise of Dual Credit Pathways in Texas
- October 15, 2:00 PM ET: California's Bridge to Opportunity: Investments in Dual Credit Pathways
- October 22 - 25: ACCT Leadership Congress
- November 7, 01:00 PM ET: LAW Live Webinar
- December 5, 01:00 PM ET: LAW Live Webinar
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.
