With the midterm elections coming up, Congress has been quiet again this week. However, there were still various announcements from different federal agencies, and the Department of Education (ED) continued to approve Workforce Pell programs. The Department of Justice (DOJ) also dropped its appeals against court rulings that struck down the Trump Administration’s restrictions on the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program. Read more updates below.  

• ACTE, Advance CTE Submit Apprenticeship Comments: ACTE and Advance CTE submitted comments to the Department of Labor (DOL) this week in response to the agency’s proposed surveys on Registered Apprenticeship awareness and perceptions. 

• ED Approves Workforce Pell Program in Arizona: On Oct. 22, ED approved a new Workforce Pell program in Arizona. Eligible students at Pima Medical Institute can now use Federal Pell grants to enroll in the phlebotomy technician program.   

• CHSA Releases RFP for States on CTE Dual Enrollment: This week, the College in High School Alliance (CHSA) announced a request for proposals (RFP) from states on CTE dual enrollment. States accepted into the program would receive funding and implementation support to expand their CTE dual enrollment opportunities. Applications are due December 4, and a webinar on the RFP will take place on Nov. 4. 

• AI-Ready CTE Webinar with the Tennessee Board of Regents: On Oct. 28 at 1 P.M. EST, the Tennessee Board of Regents is hosting a webinar on AI adoption in postsecondary CTE programs. Panelists will share real stories of how instructors are using AI to support technical skill building, how students are learning to verify and apply AI generated outputs alongside hands-on mastery and how faculty are being supported through this shift. Register here. 

• DOJ Dismisses Appeal to Revise Eligibility Requirements for Public Service Loan Forgiveness: On Oct. 21, the DOJ dropped its appeals of two court rulings that struck down the Trump Administration’s restrictions on the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program. By agreeing to dismiss its appeal, the Trump administration is leaving the current, broader PSLF rules intact. 

• DOL Announces New Grants for Job Training Programs in Rural Communities: On Oct. 16, the DOL announced the award of $81.5 million in funding to address the workforce needs of employers in high-growth and emerging industries across the Appalachian, Delta and Northern Border regions. The grants will help provide industry-driven training, including Registered Apprenticeships, for new and dislocated workers, and those already in the workforce who need to learn new skills.   

• DOL Announces New Grants for Reskilling and Reemploying Dislocated Workers: On Oct. 19, DOL announced the award of $95.5 million in funding to support the creation of innovative models of training and employment services that connect workers affected by layoffs to high-growth industries. Participants will gain industry-specific skills and credentials to speed their reemployment while projects will develop and share innovative approaches for connecting workers impacted by layoffs with careers in America’s growth industries. 

• House Committee Releases Report on College Completion Barriers: On Oct. 21, House Democrats on the Education and Workforce Committee released a report examining barriers to college completion. 

• IES Announces Grant Competitions: The Institute of Education Sciences (IES) recently opened two research grant programs, one focused on developing evidence-based education solutions and the other focused on special education research. Applications for both are due December 11. 

• Treasury Preparing to Penalize Defaulted Borrowers: Reporting from the Washington Sun this week indicated that the Treasury Department is preparing to penalize student loan borrowers who default on their federal student loans next year.  

• ED and DOJ No Longer Enforcing Specific Guidance: On Oct. 23, ED and the Department of Justice (DOJ) announced that it was no longer enforcing seven guidance documents released by the agencies between 2015 and 2023. This includes documents that directed districts to provide supports for English learner students and guidance to prevent racial harassment.