Below is an abridged version of RAMC’s weekly Washington Wrap Up. Find out more about Wrap Up and other RAMC resources here.

ADMINISTRATION

The U.S. Department of Education (ED) announced an outreach campaign, in partnership with nongovernmental organizations, to spur student loan borrowers to sign up for the SAVE repayment plan.

ED’s Office for Civil Rights released a Dear Colleague Letter on Race and School Programming that seeks to clarify how schools can, consistent with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (Title VI) and its implementing regulations, develop curricula or engage in activities that promote racially inclusive school programs, groups or student clubs.

GRANT OPPORTUNITIES
Penn Hill Group provides a list of grant opportunities and summaries for select grants. Please visit our website for more information.

Education News Headlines
[Click on the link to read the article online]

Measuring Higher Ed’s Benefits Beyond Earnings [Inside Higher Ed]

Florida’s Accreditation Shuffle Begins [Inside Higher Ed]

Machine Behind the War on Academic Freedom [The Chronicle of Higher Education]

Community Colleges Double Down on Dual Enrollment [Inside Higher Ed]

2024 Republicans want to eliminate the Education Department. What would that look like? [The Hill]

Can the farm bill help fix underfunding for HBCUs? [Higher Ed Dive]

Over half of students rank college applications as their most stressful academic experience, survey finds [Higher Ed Dive]

Biden still fighting for student loan forgiveness [Inside Higher Ed]

1 in 4 students never finish their college applications. Why? [Higher Ed Dive]

Committee News and Schedule, Schedule for House and Senate Floor:

House Minority Leader

Press Release: Leader Jeffries On CNN: “Democrats Are Going To Continue To Focus On Delivering For Everyday Americans”

House Committee on Education and the Workforce

Press Release: Foxx Slams DOL Union Walk Around Rule

Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation

Press Release: Cantwell Calls for AI Bill to Prepare Workers for Jobs of the Future

U.S. Department of Education and the Administration:

ED Press Release: Statement from U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona on the Transformation and Decentralization Plan for the Puerto Rico Department of Education

GAO Report: Tribal Broadband Connectivity Program: Feedback Should Be Provided to Applicants Receiving Equitable Distribution Grants

Legislative Movement in Congress:

No relevant legislative action.

Federal Education Training and Grant Opportunities, Notices:

ED Comment Request: Direct Loan, FFEL, Perkins and TEACH Grant Total and Permanent Disability Discharge Application and Related Forms. Comments due on or before September 8, 2023.

FCC Proposed Rule: Connect America Fund: A National Broadband Plan for Our Future High-Cost Universal Service Support; ETC Annual Reports and Certifications; Telecommunications Carriers Eligible To Receive Universal Service Support; Connect America Fund-Alaska Plan; Expanding Broadband Service Through the ACAM Program. Comments due on or before September 18, 2023.

ED Comment Request: Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education Grant Program Obligation To Repay Grant Regulations. Comments due on or before September 28, 2023.

ED Grant: Perkins Innovation and Modernization Grant Program. Applications due on or before October 13, 2023.

ED Notice: President’s Advisory Commission on Advancing Educational Equity, Excellence, and Economic Opportunity for Hispanics.