In a statement released earlier this week, NACAC voiced opposition to President Trump’s budget proposal, noting that the plan “stortchanged” students at all levels.
The proposal cuts funding for the Department of Education by 10.5 percent in fiscal year 2019 and abolishes several critical programs that help make college more affordable.
Programs tagged for elimination include:
- GEAR Up, a grant program designed to increase the number of low-income students prepared to enter and succeed in postsecondary education.
- Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants, which help low-income undergraduate students finance the costs of postsecondary education.
- Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program, which provides debt relief for school counselors, college admission professionals, and others who work for nonprofit or government organizations.
The proposal also effectively cuts the federal work-study program by nearly $500 million, converts funding for TRIO programs to a block grant, and calls for Congress to “reduce regulatory burdens” in higher education.
Admitted writer/editor Mary Stegmeir welcomes additional comments and story ideas at mstegmeir@nacacnet.org.