Advocacy and Policy

State:

July 1, 2026, marks the beginning of the state’s fiscal year, and the default date for laws passed during the 2026 legislative session to go into effect (unless specified otherwise). Below is a list of some of the laws that are going into effect.

Make sure you are signed up for Quorum to stay up to date on all things government relations and legislative session. Thank you for your strong support and engagement throughout this past legislative session.

Last Dollar Scholarship Updates (SF 2168): This year the association successfully expanded the Last Dollar Scholarship program to increase eligibility for students pursuing an education in a high-demand field. The Department of Education will now set the SAI instead of being fixed at $20,000, mirroring the process for other scholarship programs. This year the SAI for the Last Dollar Scholarship is $30,000! Additionally, the list of high-demand fields eligible for the program will be updated every three years by Iowa Workforce Development in collaboration with community colleges. Lastly, to qualify as a high-demand field for purposes of the list, jobs will no longer need a $14 minimum wage but will instead need a “competitive wage” in that field. These changes are an investment in Iowa’s students, and will ensure our workforce remains competitive, responsive to industry needs, and inclusive of more students.

Affirmative Action Policies (HF 2711): Moving forward, Iowa state agencies (including the departments of Administrative Services and Education), school districts, community colleges, board of regents, and licensing boards are no longer required to enact affirmative action policies and programs, or to report on such policies and programs. There remain other federal and state civil rights requirements of equal access and equal opportunity for these entities.

Open Meeting, Notice Requirements (HF 2490): Governmental bodies are now required to designate a location where notices of meetings will be physically posted, and this location must be reasonably accessible to the public and visible on a continuous basis. Notice must also be posted on the bodies website if it maintains one. Additionally, direct notice must be provided to any news media representatives who have filed a formal request for such. Lastly, if an agenda is modified after initial publication, the newly amended agenda must clearly identify that it is amended and indicate the changes made.

260E Reform (HF 2799): Final agreements entered into on or after today, July 1, 2026, are subject to the new limitations on the use of bond financing, timeframe for recovering program costs, administrative costs, categories of eligible expenditures, and reporting requirements. Specifically, the new program restrictions include:

Shortening the bonding period from 10 years to seven years – decreasing available financing and impacting project planning and feasibility.
Limiting bond proceeds to no more than seventy percent of the total calculated program costs associated with training expenses.
Reducing community college administrative fees from 19.5% to 15%.
Disallowing program costs associated with professional degrees, conferences, travel, and legal fees.
Redefining “new job” to mean: a new, permanent, full-time equivalent position added to an employer’s payroll, at the location of the employer’s project, in excess of the employer’s base employment level.

Meaning, community colleges will have to adjust their calculations and program planning when working with employers to create a training agreement under the 260E Industrial New Jobs Training Program.

Federal:

Accountability Rules Released: Earlier this week, on Monday June 29, the U.S. Department of Education released the final regulations establishing the new accountability framework/requirements that is based on previous program completers’ earnings. Similarly to some of Iowa’s recently passed laws, these regulations will take effect on July 1, 2026.

These regulations are very similar to the proposed ones in April. Bachelor’s and associate degree holders must earn more than the median earnings of working adults aged 25-34 who only hold a high-school degree. While graduate degree holders must earn more than the median earnings of similarly aged adults who only hold a bachelor’s degree. Programs that fail this test in two of the past three years are considered “low-earning” and are no longer eligible for the Federal Direct Loan Program. Institutions can appeal the determination from the DE, but they must go through a two-year waiting period before seeking to reestablish eligibility.

There were updates to the so called “50-50 Rule” – where an institution may lose all Title IV eligibility (loans and grants) in “low earning” programs if more than 50% of its Title IV students or more than 50% of its Title IV funds go to such programs – allowing an institution to avoid this outcome if it stops offering Federal Direct Loans in a program before it is deemed a “low earning” program. Protecting some Pell Grant eligible programs at institution planning to continue offering them.

Senate Farm Bill: Last week, Chairman John Boozman (R-AR) of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry Committee released his proposal to reauthorize the Farm Bill – the governing legislation for the Department of Agriculture (USDA) programs. While the House passed its substantive reauthorization bill, the Food, Farm and National Security Act in May this year, the Senate’s text is very minimal in terms of new programs or changes to any current programs. As such, the Act is considered a “discussion draft” and provides the opportunity for additional advocacy to add in new support for community colleges during a markup.

Importantly, there exists the bipartisan Community College Agricultural Advancement Act (CCAAA) which would authorize $20 million for new capacity building grants for community college agriculture workforce development programs. This language was in previous iterations of the Farm Bill reauthorization proposals, and in the House passed Farm Bill, and is language that community colleges with agriculture or renewable resources programs should ask their senators to include, or a similar proposal, in the Senate’s Farm Bill.

CCforIowa Bulletin

Trustee Awards: Thanking Leaders for Years of Service

Join us in celebrating our trustees and leaders reaching these tremendous milestones for the years of service they’ve dedicated to Iowa community colleges. These leaders’ significant tenure, with their advocacy, vision, and leadership, have made a lasting impact.

15 YEARS

Michelle Garvin, Eastern Iowa Community Colleges

Jay A. Nardini, Hawkeye Community College

Arden Kinnander, Iowa Lakes Community College

Jane Nolan Goeken, Iowa Lakes Community College

25 YEARS

Connie Smith, Iowa Central Community College

Loretta Berkland, Northwest Iowa Community College

35 YEARS

Robert H. Gallagher, Eastern Iowa Community Colleges

45 YEARS

Thomas O. Chelesvig, Iowa Central Community College

RETIREMENT

Joe Pugel, Des Moines Area Community College –– 28 years

Awardees will be recognized at the Summer Trustee Conference on Wednesday, July 8 at Iowa Valley Community College. See all awardees here.

Year-Round Advocacy: Kirkwood Hosts Annual Presidential Networking Reception

Kirkwood was pleased to host their annual Presidential Networking Reception on June 24, bringing together over 120 community members, partners, college leaders, and employees for an evening focused on connection and collaboration.

The event reflected Kirkwood’s continued commitment to student success and community impact. Nearly 40 Kirkwood employees attended, representing Academic Affairs, Student Services, Continuing Education, the Kirkwood Foundation, The Hotel at Kirkwood, Cabinet leadership, and members of the Board of Trustees.

Dr. David Cook, the new president of Iowa State University, shared brief remarks alongside President Dr. Kristie Fisher. Kirkwood was also honored to have former President Dr. Norman Nielsen in attendance.

It’s important to build relationships and give thanks year-round, and we’re grateful for the many ways each of the Iowa community colleges has made this a practice. Let us keep learning from each other and brainstorming together to meet the moments ahead of us!

Job Opportunities: What better place to work than at an Iowa community college?

No one knows better than our own network how great it is to work in a supportive, innovative, and collaborative place like an Iowa community college. Positions searching for candidates span faculty to operations to administration and beyond. If you know a talented and passionate Iowans who may be interested in a new chapter of their career at a community college, have them check out these job boards/listings:

Northeast Iowa Community College (Dubuque/Calmar/Peosta/Cresco/Oelwein/Manchester/Waukon)
North Iowa Area Community College (Mason City)
Iowa Lakes Community College (Estherville/ Emmetsburg/Spirit Lake)
Northwest Iowa Community College (Sioux Center/Sheldon)
Iowa Central Community College (Fort Dodge) – Now hiring an Executive Director of Development & Alumni!
Iowa Valley Community College District (Marshalltown/Iowa Falls/Grinnell)
Hawkeye Community College (Waterloo)
Eastern Iowa Community Colleges (Muscatine/Clinton/Bettendorf)
Kirkwood Community College (Cedar Rapids)
Des Moines Area Community College (Central Iowa)
Western Iowa Tech Community College (Sioux City/Denison)
Iowa Western Community College (Council Bluffs/ Clarinda/ Harlan/ Atlantic/ Missouri Valley)
Southwestern Community College (Creston)
Indian Hills Community College (Ottumwa)
Southeastern Iowa Community College (West Burlington/ Keokuk)

Does your campus want specific job opportunities highlighted? Email marketing@ccforiowa.org to be featured.

Student Success Story: Meet Kadin

Meet Kadin: being a student wasn’t a natural fit, but one setback meant a lifetime of success, once he found his passion.

Going to college seemed like a given until it was the first semester, and what worked in high school wasn’t going to do it. Kadin didn’t get discouraged, but looked for resources on campus to rebuild how he studied and figured out his strengths. As it turns out, his gift of gab, good nature, and ability to think on his feet added up to being a great entrepreneur. He has excelled ever since, contributing to campus as the Vice President of the Student Senate and a member of Future Business Leaders of America and Laker Life campus ministries. Next up: transferring to @UNI to double major in Business Analytics and Economics.

Kadin was recognized for his leadership and academic achievement when named to the Phi Theta Kappa International Honor Society’s 2026 All-Iowa Academic Team. Thanks for all your hard work, Kadin!

News

The Gazette: Kirkwood seeking voter approval for $88M bond this November

With growing enrollment and developing program demands, Kirkwood Community College will appeal to local voters in its 18-county service area to approve an $88 million bond. This money would help update the facilities and help Kirkwood answer the call for essential workers in fields including healthcare and manufacturing. The college encourages voters to examine local issues this election cycle that might otherwise get lost in the noise of the national stage. Get more details here.

Iowa Capital Dispatch: Iowa Western Community College receives federal funds to expand trades training

Congressman Zach Nunn visited Iowa Western Community College to announce almost $1 million in federal funding to improve their facilities across all their campuses. The satellite campus in Atlantic will have a manufacturing, plumbing, and electrical training lab installed, which will give high school students looking for joint enrollment a new chance to get their careers off the ground without leaving home. Read the full story here.

Decorah News: Northeast Iowa Community College Receives NJCAA Foundation Sport Opportunity Grant to Expand Esports Program

Northeast Iowa Community College’s Esports program is getting a new look thanks to a $1250 grant from the National Junior College Athletic Association Foundation. The college will use the funds to purchase new jerseys for its team, whose season is set to begin in September. Get more details here.

Decorah News: Northeast Iowa Community College to Lead New Welding Quality Pre-Apprenticeship Program

Northeast Iowa Community College is giving students at Crestwood High School new opportunities to explore the trades with a welding quality pre-apprenticeship program. The program will create a pathway for students to earn college credit while also gaining experience and making connections for their careers. Read more here.

Resources

Iowa Workforce Development: New Statewide Training Grant, “Advanced Manufacturing Pathways Development (AMP’D) Iowa”

All Iowa employers operating in the advanced manufacturing sector are encouraged to review the qualifying criteria and consider applying. Those selected will be able to partner and design employer-led training programs that focus on production, machine maintenance, and other critical skill gaps in their labor force. Eligible employers may receive up to 80 percent reimbursement for expenses incurred on training newly hired or current employees, offsetting costs and accelerating upskilling in their workforce. Grant awards can include a maximum of $4,000 per employee, up to a $250,000 maximum per employer. Get more information on grant requirements, eligibility, and the application here.

Note: An informational webinar will be held Tuesday, July 7 at 1:00 p.m. RSVP to join the Zoom here.

ACCT: New Grant, “Strengthening Institutions Program (SIP)”

The Association of Community Colleges has announced a new grant opportunity for eligible schools based on Title III/IV. These grants can be used for a broad range of resources that strengthen institutional capacity, including equipment and materials, construction, instructional facility development, and much more. Applicants can get FIVE additional competition points by incorporating work-based learning opportunities; expanding Workforce Pell programs, or for a range of products incorporating AI into education. Read more here.

Student Voice Wanted: Apply for the Community College Advisory Committee

The Iowa State Board of Education has created an opening for a current community college student to join the Community College Advisory Committee. This committee advises the department on community college matters and informs statewide policies and practices. This role would be ideal for a student involved in student government or other forms of student leadership on campus. Of all who apply, six will be finalists, three will be interviewed, and ultimately, one will be selected to serve from September 2026-August 2027. Applications are due July 27 at noon.