On behalf of the board, staff, and members of the American Association of Community Colleges, please know that our thoughts and prayers are with our colleagues in Florida as they prepare for Hurricane Irma. All public community colleges have been closed through Monday, September 11, 2017, by order of Governor Scott. Our Florida community colleges […]
Senate Appropriations Committee Approves Key Funding Bill
The Senate Appropriations Committee has approved a bipartisan FY 2018 Labor, HHS and Education (LHHS) appropriations bill that contains some good news for community colleges and their students, as described below. The committee was not able to employ the same budget-enhancing tactics as last year and provides $800 million less overall for discretionary programs. Nevertheless, […]
Trump Administration Rescinds DACA Program
In a deeply disturbing development, U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions announced today the Trump administration is rescinding the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program. AACC is disappointed with this decision. DACA temporarily shields undocumented individuals who came to the country before age 16 and meet other requirements from deportation. About 800,000 people have received […]
Helping Colleges Impacted by Hurricane Harvey
UPDATED The Texas higher education community is working with the Communities Foundation of Texas to organize #harveyHELP, a crowdfunding campaign to raise money for emergency aid to help college students impacted by Hurricane Harvey stay in school. Why emergency aid? Research from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation shows that it helps students overcome the […]
Support for Dreamers and DACA
AACC joins ACE and other education leaders in a letter to President Trump urging support of DACA and Dreamer students. Download the letter as a PDF.
DataPoints: Trends in Pell Grant spending
Total Pell Grant spending, as well as spending at two-year institutions, has gradually declined since its high point in 2011-12, but it remains well above when the recent recession started in 2008-09. Read full PDF.
AACC Legislative Priorities for August 2017
Congress is home for its annual August recess, and now is a great time to visit with your representatives and advocate for community college legislative priorities. AACC has prepared this document for your use in these efforts, focusing on three very active issues: federal funding in general and for the Pell Grant program in particular, […]
DataPoints: Pushing for more apprenticeships
Traditional apprenticeship positions such as electricians and plumbers lead in the number of apprenticeships offered, but advocates would like to see apprenticeships expanded into nontraditional areas such as information technology and health care. Read full PDF.
Community Colleges Selected for MentorLinks
Initiative brings together community colleges, mentors to advance STEM programs FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE July 27, 2017 Media Contact: Martha Parham, Ed.D. Sr. Vice President, Public Relations Phone: 202-728-0200 x209 Email: mparham@aacc.nche.edu Washington, DC—The American Association of Community Colleges (AACC) announced a new cohort for the MentorLinks: Advancing Technological Education program with funding from the National Science […]
DataPoints: Second thoughts about college
Americans are generally satisfied with their postsecondary experiences, but about half would choose a different major, degree or college if they could. Read full PDF.