August 7, 2025

Leading the News this Week

With members of Congress returning to their home districts for August Recess, now is the time to set up meetings with them and their staff to advocate for programs and funding that are critical to your institution and students. Take a look at ACCT's NOW piece on establishing relationships with your lawmakers featured in the ACCT NOW section.

News in Higher Education

HAPPENING TOMORROW: LAW is Going Live

On August 8 at 1:00 PM (ET), join the Government Relations team for their monthly webinar, The Latest Action in Washington (LAW) LIVE. During this one-hour webinar, attendees will learn about the latest developments coming out of the White House and its agencies, Congress, and the federal courts. Click here to register.

ICYMI: Webinar on Title III Grant Funding Opportunities in FY 25

Last week ACCT hosted Dr. Chris McCaghren, Acting Assistant Secretary from the Office of Postsecondary Education for an overview of the recently opened Title III grant competitions (more information on these grants in the next section) geared towards building institutional strength and promoting student success.

The webinar provided opportunities for community colleges to learn about new priorities for the competitions and best practices when completing the application. We encourage new and returning applicants to attend.

The deadline for the open Title III Grants is August 13th.

Click here for the recording of this webinar.

Request for Proposals: Join the Postsecondary Data for Action Network

The Institute for Higher Education Policy's (IHEP) Postsecondary Data for Action Network is bringing together cross-functional teams of institutional researchers, administrators, faculty, and data professionals committed to tackling persistent barriers to student success. Selected teams will leverage their own administrative and institutional data to inform strategy, translate findings into actionable insights for policy and practice, and share campus perspectives with policy audiences.

IHEP is inviting cross-functional teams of 3-6 members from across systems and two- and four-year institutions. Ideal teams include institutional researchers, administrators, faculty, and other decision-makers ready to make change through the strategic use of data. Click here for more information.

Grant Opportunities

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

Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander-Serving Institutions (AANAPISI) Program 

The AANAPISI Program provides grants to eligible institutions of higher education to enable them to improve and expand their capacity to serve Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander students. Institutions may use these grants to plan, develop, or implement activities that strengthen the institution's services, leading to student success. The closing date for this grant is August 13. Click here ​​​​​for additional information.

Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian-Serving Institutions (ANNH) Program, Part A 

The ANNH Program provides grants to eligible institutions of higher education to enable them to improve and expand their capacity to serve Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian students. Institutions may use these grants to plan, develop, or implement activities that strengthen the institution. The closing date for this grant is August 13. Click here ​​​​​for additional information.

Native American-Serving Nontribal Institutions (NASNTI) Program 

The NASNTI Program provides grants to eligible institutions of higher education to enable them to improve and expand their capacity to serve Native Americans and low-income individuals. Institutions may use the grants to plan, develop, undertake, and carry out activities to improve and expand their capacity to serve Native American and low-income students. The closing date for this grant is August 13. Click here ​​​​​​for additional information.

Transition Programs for Students with Intellectual Disabilities (TPSID) into Higher Education 

The purpose of the TPSID program is to support model demonstration programs that promote the successful transition of students with intellectual disabilities into higher education and to enable institutions of higher education (IHEs), or consortia of IHEs, to create or expand high-quality, inclusive model comprehensive transition and postsecondary programs for students with intellectual disabilities. The closing date for this grant is August 13. Click here for additional information.

• Aug 8th, 01:00 PM ET: LAW Live Webinar
• Aug 13th, 2:30 PM ET - 4:00 PM ET: Navigating the Federal Grant Landscape
• Aug 13th: Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian-Serving Institutions Program, Part A Grant Deadline
• Aug 13th: Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander-Serving Institutions Program Grant Deadline
• Aug 13th: Native American-Serving Nontribal Institutions Grant Deadline
• Aug 13th: Transition Programs for Students With Intellectual Disabilities Into Higher Education Grant Deadline
• Sep 5, 01:00 PM ET: LAW Live Webinar
• 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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