March 20, 2025—Today, President Trump signed an Executive Order (EO) addressing the Administration’s goal to close the U.S. Department of Education, referring to Secretary Linda McMahon as the last Secretary of Education at the White House event. Earlier in the day, the White House Press Office acknowledged that a base level of operations would continue, including all statutorily required programs such as Federal Student Aid, and that Congressional action would be needed to eliminate a cabinet level agency.
The role of the federal government in higher education and workforce development is crucial to the economic success of the regions our community college members serve. The Department is the conduit for investment and oversight. This vital role must continue.
The Importance of Federal Investments
ACCT remains steadfast in our support for the federal programs that make it possible for students to enroll in our open access, affordable institutions. Those programs include, but are not limited to, the Pell Grant program, the federal student loan program, federal work-study, TRIO, GEAR UP, and CCAMPIS. All of these necessary programs presently are administered by the Department and their funding and successful administration must continue. Further, our institutions are better able to support the success of our students through statutorily approved and funded programs such as the Strengthening Institutions programs (Title III-A of HEA) and additional Title III and V programs.
Regulatory and Quality Assurance Environment
The field of higher education is a regulated industry, which provides for accountability about the quality of programs through the accreditation process, safety of students through the Cleary Act, Title IX, and the several new directives as the result of Executive Orders and related Dear Colleague letters. Dedicated federal oversight ensures students have transparent information about the quality of programs that they are accessing so that they can make the best possible academic, job-training, and financial choices to better their lives.
The Importance of Community Colleges to Hardworking American People and Communities
Community colleges educate nearly 40% of all undergraduate students with approximately one-third of those students receiving Pell Grants to support their studies each year. These are the students who serve their community and support their local economies. They include veterans, single parents, and students with disabilities. Community colleges serve as an onramp to important lifelong careers for their students, filling needs across the country, and they are an essential bridge between economic classes that give otherwise inaccessible opportunities to hardworking and ambitious American people. From nurses to utility line workers; dental hygienists to welders; electricians to paramedics, our communities rely on these workers to make day-to-day life safe and feasible. And our students rely on their community college education to qualify for career opportunities that provide family-sustaining wages. Without community colleges, many American people would not have the opportunity to pursue well-paying, family-supporting jobs. And without federal support, most community colleges would not be able to live up to their promises to make their students’ lives better.
TAKE ACTION
ACCT encourages its members to urge their elected officials to commit to continuing the vitally important programs and oversight described above regardless of how the federal government is organized.
Members and other community college advocates can click here to contact your members of Congress.
For additional guidance or information, contact [email protected].