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By Walter Hudson Jul 7, 2025  Higher education leaders and student advocacy organizations issued sharp condemnations following congressional passage of President Trump's signature reconciliation bill, warning that the legislation will significantly harm college access and affordability for millions of students.
The bill, which passed both chambers of Congress along party lines, combines major tax changes with deep spending cuts that critics say will undermine higher education funding and student support programs. "Over great public outcry, President Trump signed his signature legislation - a grave mistake that will have devastating repercussions for years to come," said Kristin McGuire, President and CEO of Young Invincibles. "By slashing access to health care, forcing millions out of coverage, and restricting access to essential programs like SNAP, this legislation will be deadly." By Liam Knox June 16, 2025 Lawmakers are poised to extend Pell eligibility to short-term credential programs. With few guardrails in place, it could incentivize an explosion in unaccredited and for-profit providers. The Senate’s proposed higher education bill departed from the House version in many ways, but one provision remained almost completely untouched. That was workforce Pell, which would extend eligibility for the federal financial aid grant to students enrolled in short-term credential programs running between eight and 15 weeks long.
If it passes, workforce Pell would give federal financial aid to likely hundreds of thousands more students a year and provide aid to many community college students in particular who don’t currently qualify. It would also incentivize an explosion of interest in the burgeoning credentials sector. With few guardrails against for-profit and unaccredited providers, that could mean a flood of unvetted programs receiving federal funds to enroll vulnerable students. By AACC Government Relations Staff June 11, 2025 The Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions on Tuesday evening unveiled its reconciliation proposal containing changes to higher education student aid and repayment policies.
While the bill builds on the higher education provisions of the House-passed One Big Beautiful Bill Act, it fully rejects the House bill’s problematic changes to Pell Grant eligibility based on enrollment intensity and institutional risk-sharing — a significant win for community colleges. The bill also includes new eligibility for Workforce Pell grants, a change long sought by community colleges, and changes to loan and repayment policies modeled on the House legislation. Altogether, the American Association of Community Colleges (AACC) thanks the Senate for heeding its sector’s concerns and for proposing a bill that is far more palatable for community colleges than its House counterpart. AACC is deeply thankful to the scores of community college leaders who communicated their concerns to the Senate. The particulars in this bill are due, in significant part, to dedicated advocacy from community college officials. Pell grants The Senate rejected the House bill’s redefinition of “full-time” as 15 credit hours per term for Pell Grant eligibility, as well as its elimination of grant eligibility for less-than-halftime students. Taken together, these changes would have reduced or eliminated Pell grants for more than one million community college students. Preserving Pell, in this respect, was AACC’s top priority once the House had passed is measure. FROM: ICCTA Trustees Association UPDATED: Tue, Jun 3, 2025 at 10:45 AM As the spring legislative session concluded on May 31, Senate Bill 1988 was not called to the House floor. The initiative, introduced by Gov. JB Pritzker on February 19, advanced rapidly in the months that followed but was ultimately delayed amid end-of-session constraints.
Challenges to Passage Over the past three months, several political and procedural dynamics ultimately prevented SB 1988 from being called to the House floor:
 The Prairie State College Foundation celebrated the Humanities by awarding the Arts Unleashed Scholarships from the Foundation’s Nicholas & Jacqueline Rinaldi and John B. Abate’ Prize in the Arts Funds. Students were recognized for producing outstanding bodies of work in visual arts and creative writing at the April 23rd PSC Humanities Day award ceremony. These prizes were made possible through the generosity of the Rinaldi and Abate’ families. You too can make a meaningful impact and change a life by becoming an annual sponsor or making a gift.
 The department of Humanities and Fine Arts and PSC have lost an amazing individual over the April 19th weekend.
It is with deep sadness the announcement comes of the passing of Professor Paul Rinaldi, a cherished member of our Fine Arts faculty. Professor Rinaldi dedicated many years to the college, inspiring generations of students with his passion, creativity, and unwavering commitment to the arts. Beyond the classroom, Professor Rinaldi's contributions to the broader artistic community left a lasting impact, enriching both our campus and society through his work, mentorship, and vision. We are profoundly grateful for the legacy Professor Rinaldi leaves behind, and he will be deeply missed by colleagues, students, and all who had the privilege of knowing him. Paul Francis Rinaldi September 10, 1961 — April 18, 2025 Obituary: https://www.chicagolandcremationoptions.com/obituary/paul-rinaldi Donations in Paul’s memory can be made to the Rinaldi Arts Fund at the Prairie State College Foundation
Friday, April 11, 2025, the Prairie State College Foundation hosted the 2025 Economic Forecast Breakfast (EFB) at Olympia Fields Country Club with featured speaker, Jason Turner. Jason, who is the Chief Investment Strategist and Head of Multi-Asset Strategy for Great Lakes Advisors, a Wintrust wealth Management Company, presented to a very attentive audience. Prairie State College Professor Michael Massengill's Economics class was in attendance and Foundation recipients volunteered to welcome EFB guests. To learn more about Foundation events and how to participate visit thepscf.org.
Passion for the arts in the Rinaldi family has been limitless. Both Nicholas and Jacqueline taught at Fairfield University and were in education for decades. Jacqueline continued teaching until last year when she finally retired at the age of 89.
“Both of my parents spent a lifetime in education, " Paul said. “We’re a family that really believes in the transformational power of the arts to lift people up. That’s always been my focus in terms of working with my students.”
The Prairie State College Office of Institutional Advancement was elated to welcome Allan DiCastro, an exemplary alumnus, back to campus during Community College Week. “Mr. DiCastro defines Started Near, Going Far, and continues to Give Back to the PSC community, stated Deborah S. Havighorst, Executive Director, Institutional Advancement and the PSC Foundation. “It was heartwarming to see Allan’s genuine interaction with GAP scholarship recipients and his commitment to student success.”
Mr. DiCastro established the Gail Ann Prize (GAP) Scholarship for nearby Serena Hills Elementary School students who attend PSC. His commitment to PSC students honors his late sister, Gail Ann DiCastro. Mr. DiCastro toured campus and was greeted by Dr. Anthony, PSC President, during his time at the College. The legacy Mr. DiCastro leaves behind will change the lives of numerous PSC students.  Sculptor Lorado Taft’s bronze Alma Mater statue on the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign campus. (Michael Tercha/Chicago Tribune)
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