The Austin Community College District (ACC) Board of Trustees received an overview of the national Community College Federal Legislative Priorities for 2026 during its regular meeting on Monday, February 2.
The priorities—developed by the American Association of Community Colleges (AACC) and the Association of Community College Trustees (ACCT)—focus on strengthening student affordability, expanding workforce development, and reinforcing the role of community colleges as economic engines for their regions.
ACC leaders emphasized that federal policy plays a critical role in helping community colleges serve today’s students, many of whom balance work, family responsibilities, and financial pressures while pursuing education and training.
Strengthen the Bedrock of Student Financial Aid
The priorities call for increased and sustained funding for Pell Grants to keep pace with inflation, support growing enrollment, and preserve expanded eligibility under recent FAFSA reforms. They also seek to make Pell Grants tax-free for low-income students and to update the American Opportunity Tax Credit so Pell awards no longer reduce eligibility—helping more community college students afford college without taking on additional debt.
Supporting Workforce Development and Economic Growth
The priorities emphasize protecting and increasing federal institutional aid programs under the Higher Education Act, including Title III, Title V, and the Strengthening Institutions Program. These funds are critical for colleges that serve high numbers of Pell-eligible students and operate with fewer per-student resources.
To help support workforce and economic competitiveness, policies call for ensuring the nation has a strong, prepared workforce. This includes continued bipartisan efforts toward comprehensive immigration reform that provides stability and opportunity for individuals who entered the U.S. as minors and workers with temporary status.
Invest in Rural Community Colleges and Regional Development
For rural community colleges and regional development, there is a call for dedicated federal funding streams, particularly those serving agricultural and natural resource sectors. Through initiatives such as the Community College Agriculture Advancement Act, these investments would help colleges expand training programs, modernize facilities, and prepare a highly skilled workforce essential to rural economic development and food and energy systems.
The agenda also highlights the importance of child care support for parenting students through continued investment in the Child Care Access Means Parents in School (CCAMPIS) program.
Improving Transparency and Accountability
To better measure student outcomes, the priorities support passage of the bipartisan College Transparency Act, which would modernize federal data systems to provide clearer, more accurate information on post-college outcomes while reflecting the realities of community college students.
For more information about ACC’s public policy agenda, contact Chris Cervini, ACC vice chancellor of Community and Government Affairs, at [email protected].