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New!! Forms Repository The new forms repository contains copies of the federal forms currently used by awarding agencies to create grant application packages in Grants.gov, forms for post-award reporting, and forms that have been retired from the system. These include both government-wide and agency-specific forms. You can find this on the Resource Center page, which is updated as new information is available. Member Benefits
We are hosting webinars for members to provide the latest information to help you continue to serve your students and manage your business. Recordings are available to members only. Special thanks to Ed Cramp and Katherine Brodie of Duane Morris for hosting “Understanding the Higher Education Relief Fund Grant Program” on Monday. If you would like the recording, email info@beautyschools.org. More will be available soon. Monitor your inbox for the latest information.  Prescription RX card benefit
 Home office needs? Try the Office Depot – OfficeMax member benefit 
GRC News
Federal Legislative Weekly Update U.S. Congress April 7, 2020 – A group of Senate Democrats led by Sens. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) and Dick Durbin (D-IL) urged Education Secretary Betsy DeVos to exclude for-profit institutions from the more than $14 billion earmarked for higher education funding in the CARES Act — or at least impose significant restrictions on how the companies could use the money. In a letter to DeVos, the senators argued that the "most legally sound interpretation" of the way the CARES Act, H.R. 748 (116), defines an "institution of higher education" would exclude for-profit colleges entirely from receiving stimulus funding. The money should be targeted only to public and nonprofit institutions, they said. Secretary DeVos rejected their request and proprietary schools remain eligible for CARES Act funds. April 9, 2020 – The Senate adjourned with no deal to deliver coronavirus aid as Democrats and Republicans rejected each other's bids for new spending. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) tried to approve $250 billion in new money for small businesses that Republicans argue is urgently needed. And Maryland Sen. Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) presented Democrats' own plan to spend an additional $250 billion on hospitals and local governments that they want coupled with the small business aid. Each senator tried to pass his measure by unanimous consent, but was blocked by the other.
April 9, 2020 – U.S. Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos announced more than $6 billion will be distributed immediately to colleges and universities to provide direct emergency cash grants to college students whose lives and educations have been disrupted by the coronavirus outbreak. The funding is available through the Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund authorized by the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, signed into law by President Donald J. Trump less than two weeks ago. The Department’s Office of Postsecondary Education has published instructions for accessing the CARES Act funding, and additional information regarding the funding allocations, the methodology for calculating the allocations, and a letter the Secretary addressed to College and University presidents in reference to the CARES Act. The Department recently published final regulations establishing, in part, new Financial Responsibility reporting requirements stemming from changes in accounting standards and recommendations made by the community. In the attachment to this Electronic Announcement (EA), the Department addresses, in a question and answer format, several concerns raised by institutions, auditors, and other community partners regarding how these requirements will be implemented. April 10, 2020 – The Trump administration has agreed to make final decisions within 18 months on nearly 170,000 applications for loan forgiveness filed by borrowers accusing their college of fraud, as part of a class-action settlement proposed Friday. The proposed settlement would resolve allegations brought by a group of former for-profit college students who accused the Education Department of illegally delaying action on “borrower defense” claims, some of which have been pending for more than four years. Under the agreement, the Education Department would be required to make a final decision on each of the claims within 18 months from the time the judge signs off on the deal. April 14, 2020 – Education Secretary Betsy DeVos announced today that career and technical education programs can donate or loan medical supplies purchased with federal funds to help with the coronavirus response effort. Many career and technical education programs buy supplies through federal grants for hands-on learning classes. The Education Department said some state and local educators wanted the department to allow them to donate their unused gloves, masks, face shields, gowns, ventilators and 3D printers. The new guidance allows CTE programs to donate their unused equipment to public health agencies, private nonprofit hospitals and other licensed health providers.
No relevant recently introduced federal legislation.
State Update States Legislatures and Governors Respond to COVID-19 As state legislative activity continues to be disrupted by the ongoing Coronavirus outbreak, this week’s update will focus on state actions announced over the last ten days to address COVID-19. Please do not hesitate to contact Brian Newman at bnewman@abingdonstrategies.com or by phone at 202-491-5254 with comments or questions.
Arizona – Arizona’s Legislature has suspended session indefinitely. California – California’s Legislature has suspended session until at least May 4. Colorado – Colorado’s Legislature has suspended session until at least May 18.
State Coalitions Formed to Restore Economic Activity Two multi-state coalitions were formed this week focused on economic restoration and getting people back to work. On the East Coast, Connecticut Governor Ned Lamont, Delaware Governor John Carney, Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker, New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy, New York Governor Andrew Cuomo, Pennsylvania Governor Tom Wolf, and Rhode Island Governor Gina Raimondo created a multi-state council – comprised of one health expert, one economic development expert and the respective Chief of Staff from each state – that “will work together to develop a fully integrated regional framework to gradually lift the states' stay at home orders while minimizing the risk of increased spread of the virus.” According to Governor Cuomo’s press release, “the council will create this framework using every tool available to accomplish the goal of easing social isolation without triggering renewed spread - including testing, contact tracing, treatment and social distancing - and will rely on the best available scientific, statistical, social and economic information to manage and evaluate those tools.” On the West Coast, California Governor Gavin Newsom, Oregon Governor Kate Brown, and Washington Governor Jay Inslee announced a similar regional pact. According to a joint statement from the Governors, “we are announcing that California, Oregon and Washington have agreed to work together on a shared approach for reopening our economies – one that identifies clear indicators for communities to restart public life and business.” COVID-19 Resources AACS Coronavirus Resource Center The bottom of this page contains a running list of state distance learning guidance. It was compiled with assistance from the AACS State Relations Committee and/or a review of state board websites. Accordingly, developments may be occurring faster than our ability to capture/report on them. Please contact your state regulator(s) for the most current information. State and Local Government Responses to Covid-19 Stateside Associates, a state and local government relations firm, has created a chart with state legislative actions, executive agency actions, gubernatorial actions, and local government actions related to the outbreak of the coronavirus. Executive actions closing retail and “non-essential” businesses will be of interest. PBA’s COVID-19 Information Page 
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