Dear EICC Community,
On July 4, President Trump signed the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (H.R. 1) into law—a piece of legislation with implications for federal spending and policy, including higher education. ,
While the bill includes major changes, community colleges fared better in the final legislation than in earlier drafts. Several provisions, such as the proposed elimination of Pell Grants for many students and student loan default risk-sharing requirements for institutions, were ultimately rejected.
Here are a few key highlights:
- The final version preserves Pell Grant access for community college students, avoiding the major cuts originally proposed.
- TRIO programs were not impacted, and just last week, EICC received notice that we have once again been awarded the TRIO grant. This allows us to continue delivering the high-touch, personalized student services that drive persistence and completion.
- A new Workforce Pell Grant will launch in 2026, aimed at short-term, high-quality workforce programs.
- The bill changes loan limits and repayment options, and introduces a new Repayment Assistance Plan and limits on deferment and forbearance.
- New accountability metrics will tie academic program eligibility for federal loans to post-graduation earnings data.
While these higher education provisions are top of mind for us, we also want to acknowledge this legislation extends far beyond our sector. Provisions related to Medicaid, SNAP, and other public supports may directly impact members of our EICC community, both students and employees.
As federal and state agencies continue to digest the bill and release guidance, we will keep you informed of any updates that could affect our students and work. We’re actively monitoring developments through our state and national associations, and will share additional details as they become available.
We ask for your continued patience as we work through the details, and thank you for the work you do every day to support our mission and our students.
You can view a full summary of the legislation here.
With appreciation,
Bryan Renfro, PhD
Chancellor
Eastern Iowa Community Colleges
101 West Third Street, Davenport
563-336-3301