By Sean Robins, NACAC’s director of advocacy

Welcome to this issue of the Advocacy Update on NACAC’s Admitted blog. As we head into the final weeks of the year, I’m struck by how much our community continues to carry — and how consistently our members show up for students despite the volatility of the policy landscape. This past week brought a series of fast-moving legislative, regulatory, and legal developments that will shape the environment in which students make decisions about their futures. While the pace of change remains challenging, the work you do every day brings clarity, stability, and hope to students navigating an increasingly complex system. NACAC remains grateful for your leadership and deeply committed to ensuring your experiences guide our advocacy at the federal level.

Policy & Legislative Updates 

At the national level, the Supreme Court issued a shadow-docket ruling allowing Texas to use redrawn congressional maps in 2026 for the upcoming midterm elections, despite a lower court finding that the plan was likely an unconstitutional racial gerrymander. Civil rights groups warn the decision sidelines communities of color and reflects a broader pattern: high-stakes election questions increasingly being resolved through emergency orders rather than full judicial review. These decisions ripple into our work, shaping the political context in which education policy is debated and implemented.

As the Education Department moved into negotiated rulemaking this week, much of the focus was on the future of Workforce Pell and whether existing accountability systems adequately protect students. The Education Department’s new AHEAD proposal outlines the first regulatory framework for short-term Pell-eligible programs, including completion and job-placement thresholds, a “value-added earnings” test, and a dual state–federal approval process. The proposal also introduces a significant new eligibility restriction for all Pell recipients: students whose non-federal aid meets or exceeds their cost of attendance would lose Pell eligibility, forcing institutions to adjust aid packages or return Pell funds. At the same time, a major unresolved question remains whether undergraduate certificate programs — explicitly exempted from Congress’s new Do No Harm earnings test — will face any meaningful oversight going forward. With Workforce Pell expansion moving forward and accountability gaps widening, this week’s negotiations will determine whether federal funds continue to support low-value pathways or whether protections will evolve to meet student and taxpayer expectations.

Federal instability is also intensifying. More than 30 Senate Democrats recently warned that the department’s efforts to shift core functions to other agencies may be unlawful and risk eroding longstanding student supports — including TRIO, GEAR UP, and the Postsecondary Student Success Grant Program. The letter underscores a growing concern on the Hill: interagency transfers are deepening operational instability at a moment when students and institutions most need clarity.

That concern is mirrored inside the department itself. After attempting to lay off more than 260 civil rights employees, the Education Department is now requiring those same workers to return due to a backlog exceeding 25,000 unresolved discrimination complaints. The reversal reflects the profound operational strain created by workforce reductions and the severe risks posed to students and families awaiting legally required protections. Efforts to dismantle the department continue to collide with the realities of its core enforcement responsibilities.

Legal and fiscal uncertainty is affecting K–12 programs as well. A federal appeals court temporarily reinstated funding for 49 school mental health projects the Turmp administration attempted to cancel, but the department has not committed to sustaining these grants through the end of the year or awarding new funding on schedule. Districts and states remain in limbo, navigating conflicting directives while trying to sustain services students rely on. The instability highlights the urgent need for predictable timelines and adherence to congressional intent under the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act.

Students and families are also beginning to see new federal transparency tools. The FAFSA now includes a “lower earnings” warning for institutions where graduates earn less than adults with only a high school diploma. While the flagged institutions represent about 23 percent of colleges in the department’s database, they enroll fewer than 3 percent of all undergraduates and receive approximately $2 billion of the more than $100 billion in annual federal student aid. The list is dominated by for-profit colleges and cosmetology programs, reflecting long-standing concerns about poor labor market outcomes and high debt-to-earnings ratios in these sectors. Although consumer protection advocates view the move as an important step toward clarity, higher education groups continue to raise questions about data quality, regional wage variation, and the blunt nature of institution-level labeling. Even so, this shift signals the federal government’s accelerated push toward outcomes-based accountability ahead of next year’s implementation of the Do No Harm earnings test.

The Pell Grant program faces a separate long-term challenge. A new analysis from the Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget warns that, despite a $10.5 billion infusion this summer, the Pell reserve remains on track for a $61–$97 billion shortfall over the next decade. Workforce Pell expansion has increased program costs, and without structural solutions, the nation’s core need-based aid program will continue to face recurring instability.

In the K–12 arena, declining enrollment is prompting states to revisit longstanding questions about the sustainability of small school districts. Wisconsin’s latest push for voluntary consolidation mirrors conversations underway in several states as communities grapple with governance, transportation, staffing, and identity concerns. Even with incentives and feasibility studies, consolidation is not a remedy for broader funding inequities or rural resource constraints. As pandemic-era “hold harmless” policies expire and enrollment continues to fall, more districts may face difficult structural decisions.

Borrowers are also confronting renewed uncertainty. The Trump administration has reached a settlement with Missouri to formally end the SAVE repayment plan — pending court approval — accelerating the timeline set by OBBBA. Nearly eight million borrowers could soon be transitioned into new “legal repayment plans” with no clear alternatives or forgiveness pathways. Advocates warn that this abrupt shift heightens the risk of default for borrowers already navigating inconsistent federal policy.

Significant changes are also emerging in accreditation. The Education Department’s new Request for Information explicitly invites commenters to propose revisions aligned with the administration’s ideological priorities: restricting DEI, expanding “intellectual diversity,” curbing grade inflation, and removing race, ethnicity, and gender from outcomes measures. While there is room to strengthen standards around program quality and student outcomes, the RFI signals how easily accreditation could become a vehicle for ideological requirements outside of formal rulemaking.

The administration’s broader effort to restructure the Education Department through interagency agreements is drawing increased scrutiny. A new analysis from the Center for American Progress reinforces what we and many partners have been warning: these transfers are not a streamlining exercise, but an unlawful attempt to dismantle the department by shifting major K–12, higher education, and workforce programs to agencies that lack the expertise, statutory authority, or operational capacity to administer them. The agreements would fragment oversight across multiple departments, move billions of dollars in programs such as Title I, TRIO, GEAR UP, CCAMPIS, and the Postsecondary Student Success Grant Program, and create new bureaucratic steps for institutions already struggling with rapid policy swings. CAP also underscores that these actions circumvent Congress’s role in establishing and organizing federal agencies — mirroring earlier efforts to downsize the department through executive order, workforce reductions, and policy reinterpretations. Rather than reducing duplication, the transfers would slow funding, confuse points of contact for states and institutions, undermine equity initiatives, and destabilize core services that students and families rely on every day.

Even amid this volatility, the evidence remains clear that educational investments generate broad public benefits. A new UCLA Civil Rights Project report finds that closing gaps in early childhood access, high school completion, and college attainment — particularly for Black and Hispanic students — could yield up to $72.6 billion in annual public benefits. These findings reinforce that equitable investments strengthen our national economic future, while recent federal cuts and policy shifts move in the opposite direction.

Finally, new research highlights the growing fear and instability facing international students. A national survey from Stop AAPI Hate found that most international students feel unsafe, uncertain about their visa status, and hesitant to participate fully in campus or civic life. Many expressed fears of surveillance, detention, or family separation. Institutions continue working to support affected students, but gaps in legal guidance and immigration clarity persist.

Amid these challenges, employer confidence in higher education remains strong. A new AAC&U–Morning Consult survey shows seven in ten employers continue to trust colleges and universities and believe degrees retain their value. Employers emphasize communication, problem-solving, ethical judgment, and AI literacy as essential skills — and affirm that diverse perspectives and open dialogue remain central to workforce readiness.

Across all of these developments, the through-line is clear: stability, transparency, and student-centered policymaking are urgently needed. NACAC will continue monitoring these shifts closely, engaging federal partners, and ensuring that the experiences of our members — and the students they serve — remain front and center in national debates.

NACAC Advocacy 

This week, NACAC continued its federal engagement on multiple fronts as policymakers move quickly on issues that directly affect students, institutions, and the professionals who support them. We met with coalition partners to coordinate strategies that defend equitable pathways to postsecondary education and to ensure the field is prepared for the rapidly evolving landscape surrounding negotiated rulemaking on Workforce Pell. These discussions remain essential as the AHEAD proposal raises new concerns about program quality, student protections, and the implementation burdens institutions may face.

NACAC also submitted formal comments on the Education Department’s revised ACTS proposal, reiterating the significant feasibility, accuracy, and privacy concerns our members have consistently raised. While we appreciate the department’s decision to limit ACTS to four-year institutions, the revised proposal still presents major operational challenges — from unclear definitions and unrealistic reporting expectations to the risk of generating misleading or easily misinterpreted admissions data, particularly regarding race. Members continue to warn that the proposal would divert scarce staff time away from direct student support and require data many colleges do not currently collect or maintain.

In our comments, we urged the department to delay implementation, engage practitioners meaningfully in developing clearer guidance, restore technical assistance, and adopt stronger privacy safeguards. Our goal remains consistent: ensuring any federal reporting requirements strengthen accuracy, equity, and transparency without undermining the work that supports students’ access to college.

Ways You Can Take Action 

We are continuously updating our Take Action page with opportunities to make your voice heard. If you have not already, I encourage you to advocate on the urgent issues below. You can also view all active advocacy campaigns in the yellow column of the Take Action page. 

• Tell Congress: Protect FSEOG and Work-Study Funding
• Tell Congress: Save TRIO and Support College Access
• Tell Congress: Prioritize Visa Appointments for International Students and Scholars 
• Urge Congress to Protect Postsecondary Pathways 
• Tell Congress: International Students are Essential to America’s Safety, Economy, and Global Strength
• Tell Congress to Not Abandon Our National Commitment to Education
• Urge Congress to Protect Disabled Students 
• Don’t Flunk the Future Advocacy Toolkit 

Through every challenge we have navigated this year, what continues to stand out is the strength, generosity, and resolve of this community. Your work — advising students, guiding families, shaping institutional decisions, and lending your voice to advocacy — anchors our field during a period of extraordinary uncertainty. NACAC will continue pressing for stability, transparency, and policies that reflect the realities you see every day, but it is your commitment that gives this work purpose and momentum.

I am reminded of Grace Lee Boggs’s powerful reflection:

“We never know how our small activities will affect others through the invisible fabric of our connectedness. In this exquisitely connected world, it’s never a question of ‘critical mass.’ It’s always about critical connections.”

As we begin to close out 2025, I want to express my deep gratitude for all you do to support students and uphold the values that define our profession. Your efforts, both visible and unseen, move this work forward in ways that matter.

By Sean Robins, NACAC’s director of advocacy

Welcome to this issue of the Advocacy Update on NACAC’s Admitted blog. As the Trump administration continues advancing its plan to dismantle the Department of Education through a series of interagency agreements, uncertainty remains the defining feature of the federal education landscape. Each week brings new indications of how deeply these moves are straining the systems students, counselors, and institutions depend on — from grant management and program oversight to civil rights enforcement and borrower support. What was once framed as administrative “streamlining” has instead revealed widespread disruption, shrinking capacity, and growing confusion across agencies. Against this backdrop, educators, state leaders, tribal nations, and higher education institutions are raising alarms about the operational, legal, and equity implications. It is within this environment of rapid change and diminished transparency that NACAC continues to monitor developments, engage partners, and advocate for the stability and protections that students and institutions urgently need.

Policy & Legislative Updates 

Internal documents continue to underscore how fragile — and risky — the administration’s dismantling of the Education Department truly is. Even the small-scale transfer of OCTAE to the Labor Department strained ED’s capacity and nearly disrupted funding, raising serious concerns as far larger programs are slated for relocation to Labor, HHS, Interior, and State. Staff describe a lack of answers, rising anxiety, and real fears that these moves will weaken oversight, destabilize grant management, and disrupt services that students and institutions rely on. While the administration frames these shifts as efficiency, the internal assessments paint the opposite picture.

The ripple effects are being felt across communities. Tribal leaders have sounded the alarm that the administration’s decision to shift dozens of Native American education programs to other federal agencies was made without the legally required tribal consultation. Leaders from Standing Rock to the American Indian Higher Education Consortium warn the transfers will create instability, add bureaucratic hurdles, and undermine supports for Native students — a direct breach of trust and a failure to center those most impacted. Tribal advocates are calling for the transfers to pause until meaningful consultation occurs and capacity concerns are addressed.

On campuses, heightened immigration enforcement is adding another layer of uncertainty. North Carolina institutions are responding to intensified ICE and CBP activity across Raleigh, Durham, and Charlotte by issuing urgent reminders about FERPA protections and protocols for verifying warrants, but anxiety among students is rising. International students, faculty, and staff report unconfirmed sightings of federal agents and growing concern that existing protections are insufficient in this moment. National survey data reinforce these trends: a new EdWeek analysis shows increased immigration enforcement is leading to missed school days, disengagement, and higher demand for mental health supports — especially in high-poverty districts. Many schools still lack clear written protocols, leaving students and educators without reliable guidance. Our partners at the Presidents’ Alliance on Higher Education and Immigration have developed resources designed to support school counselors, K-12 educators, and college counselors working with mixed-status and undocumented families. These tools provide timely information, policy clarity, and community support to help educators and counselors advocate for students and expand access to higher education.

Legal challenges are also accelerating. The Department of Justice has sued California and its three public higher education systems to strike down the state’s decades-old policy allowing undocumented students to pay in-state tuition — a move that threatens affordability for thousands and adds another layer of uncertainty for institutions already navigating a volatile policy environment. Meanwhile, the administration’s broader effort to dismantle ED has resurfaced a two-century-old debate over the federal role in education. Scholars note that shifting congressionally mandated programs across multiple agencies is more symbolic than substantive, and almost certain to create confusion at a moment when institutions need clarity and stability.

Congressional scrutiny is intensifying. Senator Elizabeth Warren has called on the department’s inspector general to investigate the dismantling effort, citing incomplete responses from ED, concerns about weakened civil rights enforcement, and questions around staff selected for reductions in force. Her letter highlights the growing unease in Congress as transparency declines, and the administration accelerates timelines for moving programs out of the department.

Transparency within the administration’s reorganization efforts is shrinking, with reports that senior officials have been required to sign non-disclosure agreements limiting what they can share about the department’s restructuring. Staff relocations to Labor and HHS are already underway, even as timelines, logistics, and implications for students and institutions remain unclear. The challenges are already evident: the transfer of career and technical education programs to Labor earlier this year resulted in grant-system glitches, delayed reimbursements, and confusion among state leaders. These individuals warn that shifting $28 billion in K–12 funding — particularly Title I — into a workforce-focused agency is likely to deepen inequities and operational dysfunction. Despite assurances of a “smooth transition,” educator feedback reflects a growing sense that capacity shortfalls and misaligned missions are putting vulnerable students at risk.

The administration’s shrinking of ED’s internal capacity is also showing up in borrower relief efforts. The department is seeking an 18-month extension to resolve borrower defense claims under the Sweet v. McMahon settlement, citing diminished staffing and resource constraints. Advocates warn that delays would undermine the agreement’s core promise of timely relief for students defrauded by predatory institutions.

Elsewhere, the administration continues to pressure institutions through federal investigations. Northwestern has reached a $75 million settlement — similar to earlier agreements with Columbia and Brown — to close federal probes and restore access to research funding. The agreement requires updated discrimination and harassment policies and new protections for Jewish community members and international students. While ED leaders call these deals a model for accountability, critics warn that the settlements reinforce ongoing federal intrusion into institutional governance.

Legal challenges to the dismantling effort are expanding as well. A broad coalition of states, districts, unions, and disability-rights advocates has amended its lawsuit arguing that outsourcing core ED responsibilities violates federal law and destabilizes systems that students and educators rely on. The complaint points to mounting delays, reduced capacity, and increased confusion as clear evidence of harm.

In contrast to these destabilizing trends, new research highlights the important role international students have played in strengthening U.S. higher education. A new National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER) analysis shows that the surge of Chinese students entering U.S. master’s programs in the early 2000s not only fueled academic growth but also helped keep tuition down for American students and boosted local economies. These findings come as policymakers consider tighter visa restrictions and increased scrutiny of Chinese nationals.

On campuses, financial and policy pressures continue to drive difficult decisions. November saw a wave of program cuts, layoffs, and other cost-saving measures tied to declining research funding, steep drops in international enrollment, and new state laws mandating program closures. Institutions cite a challenging landscape shaped by shifting federal policy and eroding public trust.

Concerns about institutional autonomy deepened further when the Trump administration asked a state court to compel the University of Pennsylvania to release names and contact information of Jewish students and employees — a demand widely condemned by higher education leaders, civil rights groups, and Jewish organizations. Penn has refused to release identifying information without consent, citing its responsibility to protect privacy and safety.

In more positive news, NCAN’s FAFSA Tracker offers critical insight into early FAFSA completion trends for the class of 2026. While overall completions are rising under the simplified form, significant disparities persist across race, income, and community type — a reminder that simplification alone cannot close longstanding equity gaps in financial aid access.

Research on direct admissions also reinforces that policy changes work best when paired with sustained support. New analyses show that direct admissions boosts application and enrollment rates, but affordability, advising, and clear communication remain central barriers. NCAN’s new Direct Admissions Best Practices hub brings together state models and practical guidance for partners seeking to strengthen or implement these programs, emphasizing that direct admissions are most effective when integrated into a broader strategy that centers student support.

Finally, new data from the National Student Clearinghouse Research Center show that college completion rates have remained remarkably stable despite the pandemic-era disruptions faced by the fall 2019 cohort. Full-time enrollment and early exposure to college coursework continue to be strong predictors of completion, with dual-enrollment students posting especially high success rates. Yet persistent gaps by income, gender, age, and enrollment intensity underscore the ongoing equity challenges facing institutions and policymakers.

NACAC Advocacy 

This week, NACAC continued to deepen our advocacy on several fronts as the landscape around federal education policy grows more complex. We met with coalition partners to coordinate our shared response to the administration’s accelerating effort to dismantle the Education Department. These conversations focused on the operational disruptions already emerging across federal programs, the cascading impact on students and institutions, and the need for a unified strategy to defend core functions ranging from civil rights enforcement to financial aid administration.

Our team also engaged in ongoing discussions around Negotiated Rulemaking — particularly the RISE and AHEAD committees — as we prepare for another round of regulatory debates that will shape the future of accreditation, student protections, and institutional accountability. Workforce Pell continues to be a central topic in these conversations. NACAC is working closely with partners to ensure that any expansion aligns with quality standards, safeguards students from predatory practices, and strengthens — rather than fragments — pathways to meaningful postsecondary credentials.

We also spent time this week in conversations with congressional offices. These meetings provided insight into evolving legislative priorities and helped us better understand how we can support and strengthen our partnerships with lawmakers. With shifting appropriations dynamics, growing concern about agency reorganization, and heightened attention to affordability heading into 2026, maintaining close communication with congressional staff remains essential. Our goal is to ensure that NACAC members’ perspectives on access, equity, and student well-being are shaping the policies under development in real time.

Across all of this work, NACAC continues to emphasize the same core message: students, counselors, and institutions need stability, transparency, and a functioning federal education infrastructure. We will remain at the table with partners and policymakers to protect these commitments and advocate for solutions that keep students at the center of every decision.

Ways You Can Take Action 

We are continuously updating our Take Action page with opportunities to make your voice heard. If you have not already, I encourage you to advocate on the urgent issues below. You can also view all active advocacy campaigns in the yellow column of the Take Action page. 

• Tell Congress: Protect FSEOG and Work-Study Funding
• Tell Congress: Save TRIO and Support College Access
• Tell Congress: Prioritize Visa Appointments for International Students and Scholars 
• Urge Congress to Protect Postsecondary Pathways 
• Tell Congress: International Students are Essential to America’s Safety, Economy, and Global Strength
• Tell Congress to Not Abandon Our National Commitment to Education
• Urge Congress to Protect Disabled Students 
• Don’t Flunk the Future Advocacy Toolkit 

As we navigate another week of shifting policies and mounting uncertainty, one constant remains: the collective strength of this community. Counselors, educators, and advocates continue to show up for students with clarity and conviction, even as the systems around them grow more unstable. Your work — the daily guidance, the advocacy, the steady presence — is shaping outcomes in ways that matter deeply.

In this moment, I am reminded of a reflection from Michelle Obama:

“You may not always have a comfortable life and you will not always be able to solve all of the world’s problems at once. But don’t ever underestimate the impact you can have, because history has shown us that courage can be contagious and hope can take on a life of its own.”

While uncertainty feels overwhelming, these words ground us in what endures: our shared commitment to students, our belief in opportunity, and the power of collective action. NACAC will remain beside you in this work — steadfast, vigilant, and hopeful about what we can accomplish together.

By Sean Robins, NACAC’s director of advocacy

Welcome to this issue of the Advocacy Update on NACAC’s Admitted blog. After a 43-day federal government shutdown — the longest in U.S. history — agencies are reopening, backlogs are emerging, and the full scope of the disruption is becoming clearer by the day. As institutions, students, and college admission counselors continue to navigate the uneven path toward recovery, federal policy activity is accelerating across all branches of government. This week brought significant administrative actions reshaping the U.S. Department of Education, new court decisions with national implications, major enrollment and research trends, and continued debates on Capitol Hill.

Congress is also preparing for the year ahead, with both the House of Representatives and the Senate releasing their 2026 Congressional Calendars — a reminder that many of the issues unfolding now will define the policy landscape well into next year.

As we head into the Thanksgiving holiday next week, we want to extend our gratitude for the work you do every day to support students and center equity in the college admission process. Because of the holiday, the next Advocacy Update will be published on Dec. 5. With so much in motion, NACAC remains focused on providing clarity, elevating member voices, and ensuring that federal decisions strengthen, not undermine, the pathways students rely on to access and complete postsecondary education.

Policy & Legislative Updates 

Federal agencies are still digging out from the 43-day shutdown. As staff returned, many found locked systems, frozen grants, backlogs stretching months, and projects that simply halted. While backpay provided some relief, agency officials warned that the operational damage — from stalled civil rights investigations to delayed Impact Aid, shuttered Head Start programs, and cybersecurity lapses—will ripple well into next year. The instability highlights just how fragile education and early childhood systems have become as Congress again postpones long-term funding decisions.

These fiscal pressures are compounding across higher education. A new Pew analysis shows public colleges bracing for a worsening financial landscape as state budgets tighten, federal reductions loom, and enrollment declines continue. Even “flat” budgets amount to cuts once inflation and operating costs are considered. Research institutions warn that new caps on indirect cost reimbursements, paired with federal cuts, could destabilize regional economies and research pipelines. With international enrollment down and tuition revenue strained, institutions face another year of uncertainty with few pathways to relief.

Despite these pressures, new Common App data show a modest bright spot: early application volumes are up, particularly among Black, first-generation, low-income, and rural students. Yet international applications are falling sharply, driven by visa delays and denials under the Trump administration. The most selective campuses are seeing the slowest growth, and test score submissions have increased as more institutions reinstate requirements — though first-generation and underrepresented students remain far less likely to report scores.

Those trends mirror the latest Institute of International Education (IIE) report, which shows a 17 percent drop in new international student enrollment this fall, especially among graduate students. Campuses cite visa barriers, travel restrictions, and the administration’s immigration crackdown as central drivers. The financial stakes are real: last year, international students contributed nearly $55 billion to the U.S. economy, and this fall’s decline alone represents more than $1.1 billion in lost revenue. Institutions that saw growth attributed it to extensive outreach and advising — underscoring how federal policy is shaping global talent flows.

A major federal court ruling this week also carries national implications. A judge blocked the administration’s attempt to punish the University of California system by suspending future grants and demanding billions related to civil rights investigations. The decision prohibits agencies, including NIH, NSF, and the Education Department, from using funding freezes as leverage and reaffirms that the administration cannot sidestep Title VI due process or coerce institutions in violation of constitutional protections. At stake is the stability of the research enterprise and the principle that civil rights enforcement cannot be weaponized against campuses.

As colleges confront enrollment pressures, institutions are increasingly easing admission processes — expanding direct admission, offering one-click applications, waiving fees, and extending deadlines. While these shifts help reduce procedural barriers, they also reveal the depth of the enrollment decline and the limits of access reforms that don’t address affordability, advising, or the broader structural barriers that shape whether students enroll and finish a degree.

States are now facing a parallel legal front. Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton filed a lawsuit seeking to dismantle three need-based work-study programs, arguing that longstanding restrictions on sectarian work and participation by seminary students amount to unconstitutional discrimination. These programs provide essential wages and training to low-income students. Paxton’s challenge echoes recent cases that threaten evidence-based state policies and could limit access to critical supports.

National research competitiveness also surfaced as a major concern. New data shared at the APLU conference indicate that China may have already surpassed the U.S. in total research and development spending — even before the shutdown froze federal grants for weeks. With proposed cuts looming and federal investments largely flat for two decades, agencies like NIH and NSF are only now restarting award cycles. Short-term funding bills add more instability, raising alarms about talent loss and long–term impacts on U.S. competitiveness.

The administration has now taken its most sweeping step toward dismantling the U.S. Department of Education. On Nov. 18, the Education Department announced six new interagency agreements that transfer major program offices and funding streams to the Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, State, and Interior. Combined with an initial agreement executed in July, these shifts move oversight of more than 80 federal education programs — totaling nearly $34 billion annually — out of the department and into agencies with very different missions and capacities.

These agreements touch every part of the department’s core work. The Department of Labor will now assume responsibility for almost all K-12 formula and competitive grants, Title I among them, along with most Higher Education Act programs, adult education, and career and technical education. HHS will oversee CCAMPIS and foreign medical education accreditation, State will take on international and foreign language programs, and Interior will administer 14 Indian education programs.

While framed as efforts to “better align” programs with workforce or national security priorities, the transfers align directly with the administration’s goal of eliminating the Education Department. The scale of the shifts raises major concerns about agency capacity, legal authority, and continuity for students, counselors, and institutions — all at a time when clarity and stability in federal education policy are urgently needed.

Courts remain a critical check in the current landscape. A federal court ruling halted Texas’s mid-decade congressional map, finding substantial racial gerrymandering. The state has already appealed to the Supreme Court, adding another high-stakes voting rights case just weeks before candidate filing deadlines.

During this week’s House Education & Workforce Committee hearing on lowering college costs, members highlighted dual enrollment, course sharing, and AI as promising tools — but the discussion quickly turned to the broader federal policy environment. Witnesses underscored that innovation cannot compensate for the administration’s proposed elimination of subsidized loans, deep cuts to research, or efforts to dismantle the Education Department. Investments in programs like TRIO, GEAR UP, and IES remain essential to any affordability strategy.

At the state level, Alaska’s Education Department is transferring ownership of deteriorating rural schools to local districts as a condition of long-overdue repair funding. Many of these communities — predominantly Alaska Native and without local tax bases — warn that taking title to buildings with structural failures, contamination, and major safety risks exposes them to liability they cannot manage. Leaders say they have little choice, highlighting the inequities rural districts face nationwide.

Lawmakers on Capitol Hill are also pushing back on reports that the administration is considering selling portions of the federal student loan portfolio to private companies. More than 40 Democrats warned that such a move could violate federal law, erode borrower protections, and result in significant taxpayer losses. They stressed that safeguards like income-driven repayment, PSLF, and discharge authorities must remain intact regardless of loan ownership.

In another important legal development, a federal judge allowed Kentucky Students for Affordable Tuition to intervene and defend the state’s in-state tuition policy for undocumented students. The state’s higher education board had agreed to end the benefit under administration pressure, leaving students at risk of losing access to courses, credentials, and progress toward their degrees. The court’s ruling affirms the need to protect inclusive tuition policies that expand opportunity and economic mobility.

The administration’s anti-DEI campaign is also intensifying. A new State Department proposal would remove 38 universities from the Diplomacy Lab program because they use diversity, equity, and inclusion-related hiring practices. Institutions labeled as having “clear DEI hiring policies” would be replaced with schools deemed “merit-based,” upending longstanding federal research partnerships and extending the political targeting of campus DEI initiatives.

Finally, state leaders are raising alarms about the weakening of statewide longitudinal data systems — the tools that help policymakers understand student pathways from early childhood to the workforce. While 32 states operate these systems, many lack the resources and modernization needed to keep pace with rapidly changing labor markets, especially as apprenticeships and AI-driven career shifts expand. With declining state appropriations, inconsistent federal support, and the administration proposing to eliminate dedicated funding for longitudinal systems, states risk making policy “in the dark” at the very moment students and institutions need clear, evidence-based guidance.

NACAC Advocacy 

This week, NACAC continued advocating for policies that support students and protect institutional stability. NACAC joined higher education organizations in urging National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) conferees to adopt balanced, evidence-based research security measures that strengthen national interests without disrupting campus operations or global collaboration. The letter supports bipartisan language aligned with existing federal frameworks and preserving essential indirect cost structures, while warning against overly broad proposals — including the SAFE Research Act and other House and Senate provisions — that would duplicate current processes, impose unworkable restrictions, or risk chilling international research partnerships. It also flags provisions that could jeopardize funding for institutions responding to antisemitism under their civil rights obligations.

NACAC also issued a public statement responding to the administration’s newly announced interagency agreements transferring major education programs out of the Department of Education. These moves represent a significant escalation in the administration’s effort to dismantle the department and fragment its core functions across agencies with no dedicated education mission. NACAC underscored that such actions weaken federal oversight, sidestep Congress, and introduce deep uncertainty for students, institutions, and the counselors who support them. We remain fully committed to defending a strong, coordinated federal role in education and will continue advocating for the stability and protections our members and students deserve.

Ways You Can Take Action 

We are continuously updating our Take Action page with opportunities to make your voice heard. If you have not already, I encourage you to advocate on the urgent issues below. You can also view all active advocacy campaigns in the yellow column of the Take Action page. 

• Tell Congress: Protect FSEOG and Work-Study Funding
• Tell Congress: Save TRIO and Support College Access
• Tell Congress: Prioritize Visa Appointments for International Students and Scholars 
• Urge Congress to Protect Postsecondary Pathways 
• Tell Congress: International Students are Essential to America’s Safety, Economy, and Global Strength
• Tell Congress to Not Abandon Our National Commitment to Education
• Urge Congress to Protect Disabled Students 
• Don’t Flunk the Future Advocacy Toolkit 

The policy landscape continues to shift quickly, with the Trump administration’s efforts to dismantle the only federal agency dedicated to children and students unfolding alongside new enrollment trends, court decisions, and ongoing debates in Congress. Through all of it, NACAC remains focused on ensuring that federal decisions strengthen, rather than destabilize, the pathways students rely on to access and complete college. Your work on the ground, supporting students and advocating for equity every day, continues to anchor our efforts in Washington, D.C.

As we look ahead, I am reminded of William Faulkner’s reflection on the power of collective action: “Never be afraid to raise your voice for honesty and truth and compassion against injustice and lying and greed. If people all over the world… would do this, it would change the earth.”

In a moment defined by uncertainty and change, raising our voices — together — remains our most powerful tool. NACAC will continue to stand with you, speak up for the students and communities we serve, and press for policies that protect opportunity and uphold fairness and opportunity in higher education.

By Sean Robins, NACAC’s director of advocacy

Welcome to this issue of the Advocacy Update on NACAC’s Admitted blog. The longest federal government shutdown in U.S. history has finally come to a close after 43 days, ending a period marked by uncertainty, disruption, and strain across the nation. As institutions, students, and college admission counselors begin to navigate the uneven path toward recovery, federal agencies are reopening, policy debates are resuming, and courts and Congress are shaping the landscape in real time. This moment underscores just how closely access to education is tied to the stability and functionality of government — and why continued vigilance, advocacy, and clear-eyed policy engagement remain essential to protecting students and the professionals who support them.

Policy & Legislative Updates 

The higher education sector continues to feel the strain of the record 43-day federal shutdown, with disruptions touching nearly every corner of campus operations and student life. Institutions are reporting significant delays in research activity and grant spending, with universities like North Carolina State freezing federal grant expenditures as interruptions surpass $25 million per month. Students and families are facing widening hardship as partial cuts to SNAP benefits deepen food insecurity for more than one million college students, while military-affiliated students encounter delays in tuition assistance and GI Bill payments. Adjunct faculty are also seeing health care costs rise as federal subsidies stall. Across higher education, many describe this moment as one of “cumulative exhaustion.”

Several court decisions offered temporary relief for families while underscoring the instability surrounding federal programs during the shutdown. A federal judge ordered the administration to restore full SNAP benefits for the 42 million people who rely on the program, finding that officials deliberately withheld available funds for political reasons. The First Circuit then blocked an additional attempt to halt benefits, following an earlier administrative stay issued by Supreme Court Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson, who temporarily paused lower court orders to allow for further review. The Supreme Court extended that stay through the end of Nov. 13. Now that the bipartisan agreement to reopen the government includes the full Fiscal Year 2026 SNAP budget, the status of the lawsuit is uncertain; it may ultimately be dismissed as moot because SNAP recipients will, eventually, receive their missing November benefits.

Congress, meanwhile, has begun to reengage issues beyond the shutdown. Following passage of OBBBA, lawmakers are turning their attention to transparency in college cost information. At a Senate HELP Committee hearing, members from both parties emphasized the need for program-level clarity on price and outcomes. While Republicans framed transparency as central to understanding return on investment, Democratic witnesses highlighted the broader affordability crisis — driven by rising living expenses — that transparency alone cannot solve. Proposals ranged from improving the College Scorecard to standardizing financial aid offers and advancing the bipartisan College Transparency Act.

As funding negotiations slowly progressed, the Senate advanced a bipartisan agreement to end the shutdown. The package will provide full-year appropriations for the Departments of Veterans Affairs and Agriculture and the legislative branch while funding all other agencies under a continuing resolution through Jan. 30. The deal guarantees back pay for more than one million federal employees, temporarily blocks new layoffs, and restores thousands of positions eliminated during the shutdown. Although most Democrats opposed the measure for failing to extend expiring Affordable Care Act premium subsidies — the issue central to the standoff — enough supported the agreement for it to move forward. The legislation passed in the Senate 60-40 on Nov. 10 and passed in the House of Representatives 222-209 on Nov. 12; the president signed the bill into law following passage in the House.

Courts also weighed in on the administration’s internal operations. A federal judge ordered the Education Department to remove partisan language inserted into furloughed employees’ out-of-office messages, finding that the administration had “commandeered” employee email accounts to advance political messaging during the shutdown. The ruling permanently bars the department from inserting partisan content into automated emails and reinforces the longstanding principle of civil-service neutrality.

Beyond the shutdown, universities continue to navigate shifting administrative policies. Cornell University reached a $60 million agreement with the administration that restores more than $1 billion in frozen federal research dollars while explicitly preserving the institution’s autonomy. The settlement requires only limited federal reporting, making Cornell the fifth institution to strike such a deal as the administration continues pursuing investigations and policy changes aimed at reshaping higher education and dismantling diversity, equity, and inclusion structures.

Even as universities respond to these federal actions, states are beginning to consider their own roles in safeguarding civil rights. With the Education Department’s Office for Civil Rights significantly weakened through layoffs, regional office closures, and a narrowed enforcement scope, some states — such as Pennsylvania — are weighing the creation of state-level civil rights offices to fill the gap. Advocates caution that a state-by-state approach risks creating uneven protections for students nationwide.

Enrollment trends continue to evolve amid this uncertainty. New data from the National Student Clearinghouse Research Center show overall enrollment up 2 percent this fall, with community colleges leading growth at 4 percent and the largest increases occurring among students pursuing short-term credentials and associate degrees. Graduate enrollment held flat. The data also highlight a growing racial-reporting gap, with a 45 percent rise since 2023 in students not disclosing their race — complicating efforts to monitor demographic shifts.

At the same time, the Education Department is redirecting nearly all $171 million in Fund for the Improvement of Postsecondary Education (FIPSE) funding from congressionally intended student success and access programs toward administrative priorities such as artificial intelligence, civil discourse, accreditation reform, and short-term workforce training. Stakeholders warn that this shift sidesteps legislative intent, puts pressure on institutions serving rural, veteran, and low-income students, and may be difficult to implement given staff shortages and tight timelines.

In a notable departure from earlier policy positions, Trump recently defended the presence of international students in U.S. higher education, calling them “good” for America’s colleges and cautioning that enrollment cuts would devastate institutions financially — especially HBCUs. The comments contrast sharply with prior administrative actions that restricted visas and imposed heightened requirements for international students, highlighting tension between political messaging and the economic realities facing colleges.

With the shutdown now officially over following House passage of a short-term funding bill, agencies are moving to resume operations, though major policy disputes remain unresolved. The agreement restores pay for federal workers and allows institutions to continue accessing core student aid services, but uncertainty persists around whether the Education Department will comply with provisions reversing recent layoffs. Many expect additional oversight challenges in the weeks ahead.

Meanwhile, legal challenges continue in states seeking to end in-state tuition benefits for undocumented students. Courts in Texas and Oklahoma have already struck down tuition-equity policies, tripling costs for some students with little warning. Similar efforts are underway in Kentucky, Illinois, and Minnesota. Civil rights advocates, including the Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund (MALDEF), are pushing to reopen these cases, arguing that affected students were denied due process. NACAC joined an amicus brief led by the Presidents’ Alliance urging the Fifth Circuit to ensure students have the opportunity to be heard.

Finally, the administration has released a revised proposal to expand IPEDS admissions reporting. The updated draft narrows the scope to four-year institutions with selective admissions and requires six years of disaggregated application and admissions data, including test scores, GPA, Pell eligibility, income, and parental education levels. Community colleges and open-enrollment institutions awarding aid solely based on need are no longer included. While this reduces the burden on open-access institutions, significant concerns remain. NACAC’s previous public comment called for greater clarity, stronger privacy protections, and safeguards against misuse of admissions data. The revised proposal is now open for a 30-day public comment period.

NACAC Advocacy 

This week, NACAC continued to elevate the concerns of our members and the students they serve as federal actions and policy shifts create new challenges across the education landscape. In meetings with congressional staff, I underscored the urgent need to protect equitable pathways to postsecondary education — particularly as institutions navigate the aftermath of the shutdown, ongoing legal battles, and emerging federal proposals that could reshape college access.

These conversations focused on the concrete impacts that recent federal actions are having on students, college admission counselors, and institutions, including rising instability in student aid programs and the growing strain on low-income and first-generation students. I emphasized the foundational principle that public education is a public good, and that federal policy must reinforce — rather than erode — the systems that allow individuals to move toward opportunity.

NACAC also discussed introducing legislation aimed at strengthening college access, supporting students and families through clear admission processes and policies, and reinforcing pathways that help individuals enter and remain in mission-driven careers through the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program. Across each meeting, our message was consistent: students deserve an accessible, stable, and equitable system, and NACAC will continue to push for federal policies that uphold those values.

Ways You Can Take Action 

We are continuously updating our Take Action page with opportunities to make your voice heard. If you have not already, I encourage you to advocate on the urgent issues below. You can also view all active advocacy campaigns in the yellow column of the Take Action page. 

• Tell Congress: Protect FSEOG and Work-Study Funding
• Tell Congress: Save TRIO and Support College Access
• Tell Congress: Prioritize Visa Appointments for International Students and Scholars 
• Urge Congress to Protect Postsecondary Pathways 
• Tell Congress: International Students are Essential to America’s Safety, Economy, and Global Strength
• Tell Congress to Not Abandon Our National Commitment to Education
• Urge Congress to Protect Disabled Students 
• Don’t Flunk the Future Advocacy Toolkit 

As federal operations resume and policymakers turn toward the work ahead, this moment calls for both persistence and a clear commitment to progress. The past 43 days underscored how quickly uncertainty can ripple through classrooms, campuses, and communities — but they also revealed the resilience of the professionals who remain steadfast in their support of students. NACAC will continue to advocate for policies that strengthen pathways to opportunity and reinforce the systems that allow students to move forward with confidence, clarity, and stability.

In the spirit of that work, I am reminded of the words of educator and civil rights advocate Marian Wright Edelman: “Education is for improving the lives of others and for leaving your community and world better than you found it.”

As we look ahead, we carry that charge with us — advancing progress step by step, and persevering on behalf of the students and counselors who depend on it.

By Sean Robins, NACAC’s director of advocacy

Welcome to this issue of the Advocacy Update on NACAC’s Admitted blog. With the federal shutdown now the longest in U.S. history, its impact on education is becoming increasingly visible — from disruptions in food assistance to weakened civil rights protections. Each development underscores the need for steadfast advocacy to ensure students remain at the center of policy decisions. NACAC continues to monitor these challenges closely and advocate for equitable access, institutional integrity, and support for those most affected.

Policy & Legislative Updates 

As the federal government shutdown stretches into its second month, schools and families are facing mounting challenges. SNAP funding lapsed on Nov. 1, nearly 40 percent of recipients are children and at risk of losing access to critical food support. While USDA has temporarily extended school meal funding, delays in reimbursements and potential disruptions to Head Start programs are raising serious concerns about rising food insecurity and instability for students and families. Efforts by states, schools, and organizations like the Hope Center for Student Basic Needs are helping to fill gaps, but millions remain vulnerable, especially as partial SNAP payments have only just begun and are insufficient to meet basic needs.

The shutdown itself is now the longest in U.S. history, now exceeding 38 days, with no immediate end in sight. Congressional negotiations have made only slow progress. The House remains out of session, and Senate Republicans continue to resist Trump’s push to eliminate the filibuster to force passage of a stopgap funding bill. While bipartisan talks are ongoing, lawmakers are grappling with disagreements over full-year appropriations, temporary funding measures, and expiring health care subsidies under the Affordable Care Act. The economic and human toll is escalating, with costs already surpassing $7 billion in lost GDP and projected to reach $14 billion if the impasse continues past eight weeks. At the same time, previously promised back pay for furloughed federal workers has been rescinded, adding to economic uncertainty for hundreds of thousands of employees.

Amid these disruptions, students and families face additional challenges. Mixed-status families are increasingly hesitant to complete the FAFSA due to fears that personal information could be used for immigration enforcement, despite legal protections. The National College Attainment Network (NCAN) has issued new guidance addressing concerns from mixed-status families completing the FAFSA.

The Trump administration’s proposed rule barring employees of organizations supporting migrants or trans youth from Public Service Loan Forgiveness has sparked legal action, with advocates arguing that it politicizes a program intended to reward public service and may violate the First Amendment.

The Department of Education under Secretary Linda McMahon has also seen dramatic reductions in staff, programs, and oversight functions. While student aid remains largely intact, civil rights enforcement has been severely weakened. The Office for Civil Rights has been gutted, leaving students — particularly those facing racial harassment or disability discrimination — without federal recourse. Career staff continue to work to preserve core departmental functions, but the agency’s capacity to ensure accountability and equity has been markedly diminished.

Meanwhile, the administration’s decision to end longstanding initiatives like the National Blue Ribbon Schools program underscores a broader effort to shift responsibility to states, even as at least 18 states step in with their own recognition programs.

Despite these challenges, new research from the Brookings Institution reinforces that higher education remains a strong long-term investment, with degree holders earning substantially more than non-degree peers. However, rising debt burdens and gaps in affordability highlight the urgent need for policy action to support student persistence, equitable access, and smarter loan options.

Finally, political dynamics are shifting. Following Democratic wins in Virginia and New Jersey, party strategists are assessing opportunities in competitive and traditionally Republican states ahead of the 2026 mid-term elections, with attention on Senate and House races in key battlegrounds.

NACAC Advocacy 

This week, NACAC continued its work to advance equitable access and uphold student protections across federal and state policy. NACAC joined the American Council on Education (ACE) and other higher education associations in urging the Department of Veterans Affairs to withdraw its proposed rule redefining “distance learning” and “independent study.” The coalition letter highlights concerns that the proposed definitions conflict with those used by the Department of Education and could expand GI Bill eligibility to unaccredited, non-degree online programs — undermining safeguards that ensure program quality and protect both students and taxpayer investments. The associations called on the VA to collaborate with Congress and the higher education community to modernize these definitions responsibly.

NACAC also joined the Presidents’ Alliance on Higher Education and Immigration and 36 other organizations in filing an amicus brief before the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit in support of the Texas tuition equity law. The brief emphasizes that allowing all eligible students — regardless of immigration status — to pay in-state tuition and access state aid strengthens institutions, local economies, and state workforce needs. NACAC’s participation reaffirms the association’s commitment to expanding opportunity through higher education and ensuring that college remains a pathway to upward mobility for all students.

Ways You Can Take Action 

We are continuously updating our Take Action page with opportunities to make your voice heard. If you have not already, I encourage you to advocate on the urgent issues below. You can also view all active advocacy campaigns in the yellow column of the Take Action page. 

• Tell Congress: Protect FSEOG and Work-Study Funding
• Tell Congress: Save TRIO and Support College Access
• Tell Congress: Prioritize Visa Appointments for International Students and Scholars 
• Urge Congress to Protect Postsecondary Pathways 
• Tell Congress: International Students are Essential to America’s Safety, Economy, and Global Strength
• Tell Congress to Not Abandon Our National Commitment to Education
• Urge Congress to Protect Disabled Students 
• Don’t Flunk the Future Advocacy Toolkit 

As the shutdown’s effects deepen and new policy debates emerge, NACAC remains committed to advancing fairness, integrity, and opportunity across higher education. Whether defending veterans’ benefits or championing tuition equity, our advocacy continues to center the students and communities most impacted by shifting federal priorities.

In times like these, collaboration and compassion become even more essential. As Coretta Scott King reminded us, “The greatness of a community is most accurately measured by the compassionate actions of its members.”

Together, through thoughtful advocacy and shared purpose, we can ensure that compassion continues to shape the policies guiding access and opportunity for all students.

By Sean Robins, NACAC’s director of advocacy

Welcome to this issue of the Advocacy Update on NACAC’s Admitted blog. As the federal shutdown stretches into its fifth week, the impact across education, childcare, and public service continues to grow. From canceled TRIO grants and delayed Head Start funding to deepening uncertainty around college access and affordability, these disruptions underscore the importance of informed, engaged advocacy — especially as national policy decisions increasingly shape the future of students and institutions alike.

As Election Day approaches on Tuesday, Nov. 4, we encourage everyone to make a plan to vote and to review the nonpartisan resources shared during our recent webinar. Participating in elections — local, state, and national — is one of the most meaningful ways to support our communities and the students we serve. Whether you vote early, by mail, or in person on Election Day, please take time to ensure your voice is heard. Every vote helps shape the future of education and advances our shared mission to expand access and opportunity for all students.

Policy & Legislative Updates 

The federal government shutdown has entered its fifth week, with escalating consequences across education, child care, and public service. In the Senate, efforts to ensure federal workers are paid have stalled, as both Republican and Democratic proposals failed to advance. While Senators Ron Johnson (R-WI) and Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) have begun bipartisan talks, the administration continued to pay military personnel under uncertain authority and has suggested that back pay for furloughed workers may not be required — contradicting existing law. The ongoing stalemate has already cost the economy at least $7 billion in lost productivity, according to the Congressional Budget Office, with losses potentially reaching $14 billion if the shutdown continues through November.

The shutdown’s ripple effects are spreading across schools and colleges. K–12 leaders are bracing for steep cuts to federal support, with many districts preparing budgets that assume the elimination of Titles II, III, and IV-A next year. More than three-quarters of school and district leaders expect funding to decline, and some have already reduced staff or delayed academic initiatives. The uncertainty follows the administration’s summer freeze on billions in federal education dollars and proposals to eliminate key K–12 programs.

In higher education, the Trump administration’s anti-DEI campaign has led to the cancellation of 120 TRIO programs — cutting off more than 43,000 low-income, first-generation, and veteran students from vital college access resources such as tutoring and FAFSA support. The move marks a significant departure from decades of bipartisan commitment to TRIO’s mission. Meanwhile, a new Quinnipiac poll shows that nearly 60 percent of Americans oppose the administration’s plan to expand federal control over higher education through its proposed “compact,” underscoring broad public resistance to political interference in colleges and universities.

The administration’s actions are also fueling economic insecurity for families. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) reversed earlier guidance, announcing it lacks authority to sustain the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) during the shutdown — putting food benefits for more than 42 million Americans at risk. Food banks nationwide are preparing for increased demand, and bipartisan groups of lawmakers have urged USDA to use all available funds to prevent a lapse in benefits.

Lawmakers from both parties are urging USDA to reconsider. More than 200 House Democrats and 46 Senate Democrats sent letters calling on Secretary Brooke Rollins to use the contingency fund and transfer authority to prevent a lapse in benefits. Senate Appropriations Chair Susan Collins (R-Maine) joined them in a separate letter, urging USDA to “consider all available options” to sustain benefits, including partial payments or fund transfers.

Education and childcare programs face similar strain. Starting Nov. 1, more than 65,000 children in 134 Head Start centers are expected to lose funding, while districts reliant on Impact Aid will miss payments that offset lost tax revenue. Twenty-five states have now sued USDA over its SNAP decision, warning of widespread harm to students and families.

Courts have begun to intervene as well. A federal judge has indefinitely blocked the Trump administration’s attempt to lay off thousands of federal workers during the shutdown, calling the move unlawful and retaliatory. Another judge reinstated nearly $1 billion in Bipartisan Safer Communities Act (BSCA) mental health grants that the Education Department had abruptly discontinued, ruling the decision “arbitrary and capricious.”

Within higher education policy, negotiations continue over graduate loan limits under OBBBA. The department has proposed a narrow set of professional programs eligible for higher loan caps, raising concerns that students in high-need fields like mental and physical health could lose access to necessary financing.

Meanwhile, new details have emerged about the administration’s broader efforts to reshape higher education through punitive enforcement. Newly released documents reveal sweeping demands placed on UCLA — including a $1.2 billion fine, restrictions on gender-affirming care and trans athletes, limits on foreign student enrollment, and bans on overnight protests. Faculty leaders have condemned the proposal as “ideological extortion,” warning that it threatens academic freedom, institutional autonomy, and global competitiveness.

Across the country, institutions are grappling with the implications of these federal actions. College leaders remain uncertain about the administration’s Compact for Academic Excellence, with some voicing opposition but others hesitating to formally reject it amid confusion over potential funding consequences. As political pressure mounts, Texas Christian University announced plans to dissolve its race and gender studies departments, citing low enrollment. Faculty members say the move reflects growing political pressure on diversity, equity, and inclusion-related programs and signals a retreat from decades of progress toward equity and inclusion.

Even as the federal climate grows more restrictive, new research highlights alternative paths to equity. A report from the Institute for Higher Education Policy (IHEP) examines California’s nearly three decades of experience expanding access under a race-neutral framework. After the state’s 1996 ban on affirmative action, California invested in K–12 to higher education pathways, holistic admissions, and integrated data systems linking education and workforce sectors. While equity gaps persist, recent gains in enrollment show how race-neutral strategies — if paired with intentional investment — can expand opportunity in a post-SFFA landscape.

In Congress, a small group of Hispanic Republican lawmakers are breaking ranks with the administration’s anti-DEI agenda, urging the restoration of $350 million in funding for Hispanic-Serving Institutions. Their push underscores the tension between opposition to diversity, equity, and inclusion and recognition of the programs that expand opportunity for diverse student populations.

The administration has also finalized a rule restricting eligibility for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program, barring employees of organizations deemed to have a “substantial illegal purpose.” Critics warn the policy could be used to target nonprofits that disagree with the administration’s views, raising significant First Amendment concerns.

With negotiations stalled, education funding uncertain, and key social supports at risk, the shutdown continues to deepen its impact on students, families, and federal workers alike — threatening both short-term stability and long-term recovery.

NACAC Advocacy 

This week, NACAC continued its work to defend college access and opportunity through both federal engagement and member mobilization. NACAC joined higher education partners in opposing a proposed Department of Homeland Security rule that would prioritize H-1B visa petitions based on wage levels—a change that would severely limit post-graduation work opportunities for international students. The proposed rule threatens to deter international enrollment, restrict pathways for early-career professionals educated in the U.S., and weaken the diversity and competitiveness of U.S. campuses and the broader economy.

At the same time, NACAC shared an action alert as part of the Student Aid Alliance, urging members to contact Congress and oppose proposed cuts to critical student aid programs. The House has advanced a funding bill that would eliminate the Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG) and reduce Federal Work-Study (FWS) by nearly 40 percent — cuts that would disproportionately harm low-income students and undermine college affordability nationwide. NACAC continues to advocate for preserving these essential investments that make higher education accessible for millions of students each year.

Ways You Can Take Action 

We are continuously updating our Take Action page with opportunities to make your voice heard. If you have not already, I encourage you to advocate on the urgent issues below. You can also view all active advocacy campaigns in the yellow column of the Take Action page. 

• Tell Congress: Protect FSEOG and Work-Study Funding
• Tell Congress: Save TRIO and Support College Access
• Tell Congress: Prioritize Visa Appointments for International Students and Scholars 
• Urge Congress to Protect Postsecondary Pathways 
• Tell Congress: International Students are Essential to America’s Safety, Economy, and Global Strength
• Tell Congress to Not Abandon Our National Commitment to Education
• Urge Congress to Protect Disabled Students 
• Don’t Flunk the Future Advocacy Toolkit 

As this challenging period for students, families, and institutions continues, the importance of advocacy has never been clearer. Each message sent to a lawmaker, each action taken through NACAC’s campaigns, and each conversation about the value of higher education helps strengthen our collective voice. Change rarely happens all at once — it builds through steady, determined effort.

As Marian Wright Edelman reminds us, “If you don’t like the way the world is, you change it. You have an obligation to change it. You just do it one step at a time.”

Each step we take — as advocates, educators, and engaged citizens — brings us closer to ensuring that every student has the opportunity to learn, grow, and succeed.

By Sean Robins, NACAC’s director of advocacy

Welcome to this issue of the Advocacy Update on NACAC’s Admitted blog. As we enter the fourth week of the federal government shutdown, questions about when the stalemate will end are growing more urgent. This shutdown is now the second-longest in U.S. history, surpassed only by the 35-day shutdown during the previous Trump administration from December 2018 to January 2019. Beyond the political standoff, the closure has real consequences for millions of Americans, including federal employees missing paychecks, students and families facing delays in benefits, and disruptions to the Education Department’s critical oversight functions. In the midst of this uncertainty, institutions and students continue to navigate challenges ranging from federal policy proposals affecting academic freedom and international enrollment to declining federal support for postsecondary affordability, highlighting the ongoing importance of NACAC’s advocacy in protecting access, equity, and opportunity across higher education.

Policy & Legislative Updates 

The federal government remains in a prolonged shutdown, now extending into its fourth week, with little progress toward resolution. As millions of Americans face delayed paychecks and benefits, the shutdown has become both a political standoff and a policy test case for the Trump administration’s stated goal of permanently scaling back what it calls “Democrat programs.” The Senate has held repeated votes to reopen the government without success, while agencies like the Energy Department’s nuclear division prepare widespread furloughs.

The shutdown’s effects on education have been especially severe. The Education Department has largely ceased operations, leaving critical enforcement functions suspended. Recent layoffs — more than 460 employees in the past month — have further weakened oversight of special education, civil rights laws, and billions in federal grants. Education Secretary Linda McMahon has argued that this proves the department’s elimination is viable, while advocates warn that students with disabilities and other vulnerable populations are losing essential protections. The Trump administration’s exploration of a plan to move oversight of the $15 billion Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) to another agency further signals its intent to dismantle the department. However, because both the IDEA and the Education Department itself were established by acts of Congress, relocating the program or closing the department would require new legislation — making this more a political signal than an imminent policy change.

At the same time, the administration continues its broader push to reshape higher education policy through the proposed Compact for Academic Excellence in Higher Education. The compact would tie priority federal funding to a series of politically driven conditions — including limits on international enrollment, tuition freezes, and restrictions on campus speech — drawing strong backlash from higher education leaders. This week the University of Virginia, Dartmouth College, the University of Arizona, and Washington University in St. Louis have all publicly declined to sign, citing threats to academic freedom, institutional governance, and the integrity of scientific research. No institutions have agreed to the compact by the administration’s stated deadline.

The Department of Justice (DOJ) has also pursued investigations into diversity, equity, and inclusion practices on college campuses. The University of Virginia recently reached a settlement with DOJ, agreeing to pause investigations and comply with federal directives prohibiting the use of race in admission, hiring, and scholarships. The agreement allows UVA to avoid active enforcement actions for now, though it must provide data on compliance moving forward.

Across states and campuses, related policy shifts continue to emerge. The University of Illinois system has directed its campuses to end consideration of race, sex, or national origin in hiring, promotion, and financial aid decisions — effectively eliminating diversity, equity, and inclusion statements and affirmative action practices. Faculty groups have criticized the decision as abrupt and made without shared governance. Meanwhile, new research from Education Reform Now finds a decline in the number of selective institutions publicly releasing racial enrollment data this fall — down from 34 to 16 year over year — amid increased federal scrutiny and political pressure. Early reporting indicates continued declines in Black student enrollment at most institutions.

Equity concerns are also reflected in new research on affordability. A joint report from the University of Alabama’s Education Policy Center and the Southern Education Foundation highlights a decade-long decline in Pell Grant funding, linking it to significant enrollment losses among Black students — particularly across the South. Between 2011–12 and 2021–22, federal Pell funding fell by nearly $8 billion, and the number of recipients declined by more than a third. Southern community colleges and majority-Black campuses were hardest hit, underscoring the need for Congress to stabilize and expand federal student aid. Complementing that call, the National Association of State Student Grant and Aid Programs reported that states collectively awarded $18.6 billion in aid during the 2023–24 academic year, a 12 percent increase from the prior year, with the vast majority directed toward need-based grants.

International education and workforce policy remain areas of contention as well. The Trump administration recently issued guidance exempting international graduates already in the U.S. from the $100,000 H-1B visa fee, following strong opposition from higher education and employer groups. The exemption applies to recent graduates seeking H-1B status and to current visa holders extending or changing status, but not to applicants abroad, leaving ongoing uncertainty for international hiring pipelines.

Finally, a new EdTrust brief underscores the urgent need for equity-centered strategies to meet state postsecondary attainment goals. While enrollment among Black and Latino students pursuing bachelor’s degrees has risen modestly in recent years, completion gaps remain wide, and community college enrollment continues to lag below pre-pandemic levels. As states adapt to the post–affirmative action landscape, the report calls for aligning funding and policy frameworks with student realities to ensure that all learners — especially those historically underserved — can access and complete high-quality educational pathways.

NACAC Advocacy 

This week, NACAC continued its advocacy to protect educational opportunity, transparency, and federal oversight in higher education. In response to the Department of Education’s request for information on modernizing the Institute of Education Sciences (IES), NACAC joined the Postsecondary Data Collaborative and partner organizations in urging the department to strengthen — rather than privatize — the federal postsecondary data infrastructure. The coalition emphasized the essential role of the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) in maintaining accurate, comprehensive, and publicly accessible data, calling for sustained federal oversight, adequate staffing, and continued investment in key collections such as IPEDS, NPSAS, and BPS.

NACAC also joined a broad coalition of higher education associations in opposing the Trump administration’s proposed Compact for Academic Excellence in Higher Education. The coalition warned that the compact would impose political and ideological litmus tests on colleges and universities in exchange for vaguely defined federal funding benefits — undermining academic freedom, institutional autonomy, and the open exchange of ideas that define U.S. higher education. The joint statement called on the administration to withdraw the proposal and instead support collaborative policymaking that strengthens, rather than constrains, higher education’s mission.

NACAC endorsed a congressional letter opposing mass layoffs at the Education Department, including within the Offices of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services, Civil Rights, and Elementary and Secondary Education. The letter urges Secretary Linda McMahon and OMB Director Russell Vought to reverse the terminations, warning that these cuts erode federal enforcement of disability and civil rights protections and leave millions of students without critical support — just weeks before the 50th anniversary of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).

In addition, NACAC joined the American Council on Education and other higher education associations in urging the Department of Homeland Security to exempt colleges and universities from the new $100,000 H-1B visa fee established under the Sept. 19 Presidential Proclamation. The coalition emphasized that faculty, researchers, and staff on H-1B visas play a critical role in preparing students for high-demand fields such as healthcare, engineering, education, and computer science. The letter notes that institutions of higher education — already exempt under the H-1B lottery cap — are central to workforce development and national competitiveness and should not be subject to additional financial burdens that could impede their missions.

Ways You Can Take Action 

We are continuously updating our Take Action page with opportunities to make your voice heard. If you have not already, I encourage you to advocate on the urgent issues below. You can also view all active advocacy campaigns in the yellow column of the Take Action page. 

• Tell Congress: Save TRIO and Support College Access
• Tell Congress: Prioritize Visa Appointments for International Students and Scholars 
• Urge Congress to Protect Postsecondary Pathways 
• Tell Congress: International Students are Essential to America’s Safety, Economy, and Global Strength
• Tell Congress to Not Abandon Our National Commitment to Education
• Urge Congress to Protect Disabled Students 
• Don’t Flunk the Future Advocacy Toolkit 

This week’s developments underscore both the challenges and the opportunities facing higher education. Our collective advocacy demonstrates how coordinated, principled action can protect students, institutions, and the broader mission of education — even in the face of political gridlock, funding uncertainty, and federal policy shifts.

As Desmond Tutu reminds us, “Do your little bit of good where you are; it’s those little bits of good put together that overwhelm the world.”

Each effort — whether defending academic freedom, ensuring access for international students, or supporting federal protections — adds to a collective impact that safeguards opportunity and strengthens the future of education for all learners.

By Sean Robins, NACAC’s director of advocacy

Welcome to this issue of the Advocacy Update on NACAC’s Admitted blog. This week’s policy developments underscore the intense pressures facing higher education and federal oversight, from shutdown-related layoffs to new proposals that challenge institutional autonomy and access for students. At the same time, we are seeing colleges, states, and advocates step up to defend students, protect equity, and preserve academic freedom. Even in the midst of disruption, these actions highlight the resilience of the education community and the impact of organized advocacy in shaping policy outcomes.

Policy & Legislative Updates 

The Trump administration’s latest actions have intensified tensions across the education landscape, with colleges, advocates, and policymakers responding to a series of escalating developments affecting students, institutions, and federal oversight.

The administration turned its attention to undocumented student supports, directing the Education Department to investigate the University of Nevada, Reno’s UndocuPack program. The Justice Department claimed the university may have used taxpayer funds to “assist illegal immigrants,” while university president Brian Sandoval, a former Republican governor, strongly defended the initiative as lawful and fully state-funded. Advocates warn that the probe could serve as a “test case” aimed at deterring other campuses from offering services to undocumented students.

At the same time, the Trump administration introduced a proposed Compact for Academic Excellence in Higher Education, which ties new federal funding opportunities to institutional commitments around admissions, hiring, and “viewpoint diversity.” The proposal drew immediate skepticism from higher education leaders, who voiced concerns about threats to academic freedom and institutional independence. Faculty senates and professional organizations have urged colleges to reject the compact outright, calling it an attempt to restrict academic freedom, politicize research, and constrain inquiry. MIT became the first to formally decline, stating that federal funding should be merit-based, not politically conditioned. Following MIT’s rejection, the administration expanded the offer to all colleges and universities nationwide, prompting further backlash.

Brown University soon joined MIT in rejecting the compact, emphasizing the importance of protecting academic integrity and freedom from political interference. The University of Pennsylvania also added its voice, announcing that Penn would also decline to sign. Additionally, the University of Southern California has declined to sign, indicating that over time the Compact would “undermine the same values of free inquiry and academic excellence that the Compact seeks to promote.”

As higher education leaders push back on these ideological initiatives, the administration’s budgetary and personnel decisions have deepened instability across the federal workforce and at the U.S. Department of Education. Nearly 500 Education Department employees were laid off, among an estimated 4,200 individuals, in a new wave of cuts during the ongoing government shutdown — following an earlier round that had already reduced staff by half. The latest layoffs hit hardest in the Offices of Elementary and Secondary Education, Special Education, and Civil Rights, leaving some divisions with only a handful of staff. Unions and advocacy groups have filed lawsuits alleging the reductions are unlawful attempts to dismantle the department. Although the Supreme Court allowed the first round of cuts to proceed, a federal judge recently halted the most recent layoffs, calling them “likely illegal.”

The government shutdown has now stretched into its third week, leaving thousands of federal employees without pay and disrupting core services nationwide. Education programs and enforcement activities have been significantly affected, with the department’s capacity to administer grants, enforce civil rights protections, and support students with disabilities severely diminished. The shutdown’s ripple effects are being felt nationwide: food assistance programs like WIC are nearing exhaustion, federal workers are missing paychecks, and key education, housing, and fair housing offices have been gutted. Meanwhile, essential services like air traffic control and the military continue to operate — some without pay — as uncertainty deepens across the country.

Amid the federal uncertainty, several state and institutional efforts are moving in the opposite direction — advancing access and equity even as national policies sow disruption. California enacted a new law establishing direct admission to Cal State universities for eligible high school seniors — a policy designed to remove barriers and increase college enrollment among underserved students. In another key development, the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities (HACU) and LatinoJustice PRLDEF have been granted permission to intervene in a federal lawsuit to defend the Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSI) program, ensuring that the interests of HSIs and their students are represented in court. Their involvement comes as congressional Republicans urge Education Secretary Linda McMahon to restore more than $450 million in funding for HSIs after the department deemed the programs unconstitutional.

Finally, the Education Department has again postponed its semiannual NACIQI meeting, now scheduled for December 16, following months of shutdown-related disruptions. The delay will postpone critical accreditation reviews and new appointments, raising concerns about an expanding backlog and further uncertainty in federal oversight.

NACAC Advocacy 

This week, NACAC joined national coalitions in two major advocacy efforts to safeguard students and uphold sound federal policymaking.

NACAC signed a letter with 35 organizations urging the Education Department to pause and revise its proposed Admissions and Consumer Transparency Supplement (ACTS) to IPEDS. The coalition, led by the Postsecondary Data Collaborative, warned that the proposal’s scope, speed, and lack of vetting would compromise data quality and impose excessive reporting burdens on institutions. The letter recommends narrowing the initial rollout to undergraduate data, delaying retrospective and graduate data collection, and reinstating technical assistance and staffing at NCES to preserve the integrity of federal education data.

NACAC also joined a broad alliance of disability, civil rights, and education organizations in condemning the Trump administration’s sweeping layoffs at the Education Department. The reductions have severely weakened key offices — Special Education Programs, Civil Rights, and Elementary and Secondary Education — undermining enforcement of IDEA, Section 504, and other laws that safeguard the rights of students with disabilities. As the nation marks the 50th anniversary of IDEA, the coalition is urging the administration and Congress to restore staffing and transparency, emphasizing that protecting students with disabilities remains both a legal and moral obligation.

Ways You Can Take Action 

We are continuously updating our Take Action page with opportunities to make your voice heard. If you have not already, I encourage you to advocate on the urgent issues below. You can also view all active advocacy campaigns in the yellow column of the Take Action page. 

• Tell Congress: Save TRIO and Support College Access
• Tell Congress: Prioritize Visa Appointments for International Students and Scholars 
• Urge Congress to Protect Postsecondary Pathways 
• Tell Congress: International Students are Essential to America’s Safety, Economy, and Global Strength
• Tell Congress to Not Abandon Our National Commitment to Education
• Urge Congress to Protect Disabled Students 
• Don’t Flunk the Future Advocacy Toolkit 

As NACAC and our partners continue to engage on these urgent issues, it’s clear that our collective voice can make a difference in safeguarding students and advancing equitable access to education. As Paulo Coelho reminds us, “When we strive to become better than we are, everything around us becomes better too.”

Our advocacy work is a testament to that principle — by taking action to protect students, support college access, and defend equity, we are helping shape a stronger, more just education system for all.

By Sean Robins, NACAC’s director of advocacy

Welcome to the newest issue of the Advocacy Update on NACAC’s Admitted blog. This week, the landscape of higher education policy continues to shift rapidly, with significant developments affecting students, institutions, and educators alike. From legal challenges to federal policies that threaten access and equity, to new proposals shaping data reporting, student visas, and academic freedom, the issues are both complex and consequential. NACAC is actively monitoring these developments, elevating member concerns, and advocating for policies that protect opportunities for all students while supporting the integrity and autonomy of colleges and universities. Our work underscores the critical importance of staying engaged, informed, and proactive in shaping the education system and pathways that serves all learners.

Policy & Legislative Updates 

The Council for Opportunity in Education (COE) has filed two lawsuits against the U.S. Department of Education over the denial and discontinuation of more than 100 TRIO grants — one of the largest disruptions in the program’s history. COE contends that the department retroactively applied new anti-DEI policies without following required rulemaking processes, cutting off vital services for roughly 40,000 low-income, first-generation students, veterans, and adult learners. Representing colleges and agencies that operate TRIO programs, COE says the litigation aims to restore due process and preserve educational opportunity for students nationwide.

The controversy surrounding the Education Department has continued to grow amid reports that furloughed employees’ out-of-office email messages were replaced with partisan language blaming Democrats for the government shutdown. Career staff have raised Hatch Act concerns, arguing the edits may amount to coerced political speech. The Hatch Act is a 1939 law designed to keep federal programs nonpartisan and protect civil servants from political coercion. Under the Act, nearly all executive branch employees, including those on furlough, are prohibited from engaging in political activity in their official capacity. The American Federation of Government Employees has since filed suit, alleging violations of federal employees’ First Amendment rights and deepening scrutiny of political interference within the agency. House Education Committee Ranking Member Bobby Scott is also calling for a hearing, arguing the move is an “apparent violation of the Hatch Act” and other federal laws, calling it “incredibly egregious.”

Meanwhile, the shutdown itself shows no sign of resolution. After the Senate has failed to pass a measure to reopen the government, the White House warned that “reduction-in-force” notices could soon be issued across federal agencies — an unprecedented step during a funding lapse. The administration has also deleted references to the 2019 Government Employee Fair Treatment Act, raising fears that furloughed employees may be denied backpay. The prolonged stalemate has left hundreds of thousands of federal workers in limbo and further strained agencies responsible for administering student aid and civil rights enforcement.

Amid these disruptions, the Senate confirmed Kimberly Richey to lead the Education Department’s Office for Civil Rights in a narrow 51–47 vote along party lines. Richey inherits an office facing a backlog of more than 12,000 cases and operating with half its former workforce. Her confirmation raises questions about whether OCR will have the capacity and support needed to meet its mandate during the shutdown and beyond.

In other developments, higher education groups are closely watching several key policy and legal battles. A federal court upheld the Biden administration’s gainful employment rule, rejecting a challenge from for-profit colleges. The decision reinforces the effort to hold career programs accountable for student outcomes and ensure graduates can repay their loans and earn more than high school graduates. At the same time, the department has resumed loan forgiveness under the Income-Based Repayment plan for long-term borrowers, following months of delay and legal pressure.

The Trump administration is exploring the sale of portions of the federal government’s $1.6 trillion student loan portfolio to private investors — a move that could upend borrower protections and reshape the federal role in student lending. Critics warn that such a sale could harm borrowers and shortchange taxpayers, while supporters frame it as a step toward reducing federal liabilities and administrative costs.

International education also remains in the spotlight, as the Department of Homeland Security faces widespread opposition to its proposal limiting foreign student visas to four years. Colleges, faculty, and industry leaders argue that the change would disrupt degree completion, deter global talent, and impose unnecessary administrative burdens.

A growing flashpoint for higher education institutions is the Trump administration’s proposed “Compact for Academic Excellence,” which has drawn strong condemnation across the sector for what many view as an unprecedented intrusion into institutional governance and academic freedom. The compact would condition access to federal funding — including student aid and research grants — on compliance with a set of ideological directives related to curriculum, speech, and campus policy. Among its provisions are requirements to align institutional policies with the administration’s redefinition of sex and gender, limits on international student enrollment, and mandates for standardized testing in admission.

The Association of American Colleges & Universities, the American Council on Education, and dozens of other higher education organizations have denounced the proposal as coercive, politically motivated, and fundamentally at odds with the long-standing principle of institutional independence. Faculty groups warn that it would open the door for the federal government to dictate academic content and personnel decisions, eroding the core values of inquiry and free expression that underpin higher education. Institutions from across the ideological spectrum have signaled they will not sign the compact, calling it a “test of allegiance” that would compromise academic integrity in exchange for funding. The move has united many in higher education around a shared message: that federal support must not be used as leverage to enforce political conformity or suppress diversity of thought. With the October 20 feedback deadline approaching, colleges are preparing formal responses and considering potential legal challenges to safeguard their autonomy.

In the broader economic context, colleges and universities continue to face financial pressure. September saw another round of job cuts and program reductions across campuses nationwide, including at well-endowed institutions such as Washington University in St. Louis, Brown, and Yale. Leaders cite declining enrollment, rising operational costs, and uncertainty around federal funding as key drivers.

New data from Inside Higher Ed’s Student Voice survey underscores how many students face financial uncertainty. The responses show that fewer than one in three students fully understand their total cost of attendance, and many say even a modest unexpected expense could derail their enrollment. The findings point to a need for clearer cost transparency, better access to emergency aid, and stronger institutional support to promote student persistence.

In a constructive development for advocacy efforts, the American Council on Education has launched a new interactive tool highlighting the economic impact of higher education across states and congressional districts. The platform visualizes how colleges drive workforce development, innovation, and local prosperity — information that can bolster advocacy efforts by illustrating the essential role of higher education in national and regional economies.

States continue to advance their own efforts to expand college access. Connecticut recently launched the Connecticut Automatic Admission Program, which guarantees admission for eligible students with strong GPAs to 10 participating public and private colleges. By removing application fees, essays, and recommendation requirements, the initiative aims to simplify the admission process and increase college participation among the state’s high school graduates.

NACAC Advocacy 

This week, NACAC raised significant concerns regarding the U.S. Department of Education’s proposed Admissions and Consumer Transparency Supplement (ACTS) revision to the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS). In formal comments submitted to the department — developed with input from NACAC members — NACAC emphasized that while the association supports greater transparency in college admission, the proposal’s scope and pace would place an unreasonable reporting burden on institutions and risk misrepresenting the admission process.

The proposed rule would require colleges to report detailed applicant-level data, including race, GPA, and test scores over multiple years, within a compressed timeline. NACAC cautioned that many institutions lack the capacity to collect such granular data retroactively and warned that publishing this information without context could distort public understanding of admission practices, particularly at institutions serving diverse or under resourced populations.

In addition to its individual comments, NACAC joined the American Council on Education and other higher education associations in a coalition letter urging the department to delay implementation and engage stakeholders in a more deliberate review process. The letter highlights the potential for confusion, privacy risks, and data misuse under the proposed requirements, which would add more than 100 new data elements and mandate five years of retroactive reporting. Together, the associations called on the department to prioritize accuracy, fairness, and meaningful transparency that supports students and institutions alike.

Ways You Can Take Action 

We are continuously updating our Take Action page with opportunities to make your voice heard. If you have not already, I encourage you to advocate on the urgent issues below. You can also view all active advocacy campaigns in the yellow column of the Take Action page. 

• Tell Congress: Save TRIO and Support College Access
• Tell Congress: Prioritize Visa Appointments for International Students and Scholars 
• Urge Congress to Protect Postsecondary Pathways 
• Tell Congress: International Students are Essential to America’s Safety, Economy, and Global Strength
• Tell Congress to Not Abandon Our National Commitment to Education
• Urge Congress to Protect Disabled Students 
• Don’t Flunk the Future Advocacy Toolkit 

As NACAC members, your voice, expertise, and commitment are central to protecting access, equity, and opportunity in education. In the face of policy challenges, legal battles, and uncertainty, coming together as a community allows us to amplify our impact and advocate effectively for students and institutions alike. As Margaret Mead once said, “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.”

Your engagement, whether through advocacy, coalition-building, or sharing your experiences, ensures that our collective efforts continue to make a difference for students across the nation.

By Sean Robins, NACAC’s director of advocacy

Welcome to the latest Advocacy Update on NACAC’s Admitted blog. This week has underscored the difficult and uncertain moment we face in education policy. With the federal government now in a shutdown, critical services are paused, new threats to civil rights enforcement are emerging, and funding streams remain unstable. The weight of these disruptions is being felt directly by students, families, educators, and institutions. In the midst of these challenges, NACAC remains committed to empowering admission counseling professionals and advancing policies that ensure the transformative power of postsecondary education is accessible to all.

Policy & Legislative Updates 

The federal government officially shut down on Oct. 1, creating immediate uncertainty for higher education, K–12 schools, and students nationwide. While student aid programs like Pell Grants and federal loans will continue, nearly all Department of Education staff have been furloughed. This pause affects financial aid support, civil rights enforcement, regulatory actions, and research funding, with new grants and peer review panels on hold. A prolonged shutdown could leave colleges navigating compliance gaps, stalled innovation, and financial uncertainty, while federal employees and families feel the immediate impact. You can read more about the impact of the government shutdown on education and college access in a previous post, Looming Government Shutdown Threatens Access and Stability.

The shutdown compounds existing risks in federal student aid. The Congressional Research Service has warned of a looming “default cliff” this fall, as millions of federal student loans face default with the expiration of COVID-19 relief measures. Over 4 million borrowers were already more than 180 days delinquent as of June 2025, and these numbers could nearly double, putting additional strain on borrowers, the Department of Education, and colleges’ federal aid eligibility.

The Trump administration is also taking an aggressive approach in how it uses the shutdown. By freezing more than $26 billion in previously approved funds — including climate and infrastructure projects in Democratic-led states — the White House is using the fiscal standoff to punish political opponents. At the same time, federal workers face furloughs or are required to work without pay, deepening the risks of a prolonged shutdown and amplifying disruption across sectors.

Civil rights enforcement is facing new strain as well. The First Circuit Court of Appeals has cleared the way for the Department of Education to move forward with layoffs that will cut nearly half of the staff in the Office for Civil Rights. The ruling, which followed a July Supreme Court decision allowing broader reductions at the department, comes at a time of rising caseloads. Advocates warn these cuts will severely limit OCR’s capacity to protect students experiencing discrimination and harassment, leaving schools with fewer avenues for accountability.

At the K–12 level, the Trump administration has cut nearly $9 million in expected Fostering Diverse Schools funding just weeks into the school year. Districts in Anchorage (AK), East Baton Rouge (LA), Miami-Dade, New York City, and Los Angeles relied on these grants to support racial and socioeconomic integration, and advocates warn that the termination accelerates trends toward resegregation.

The administration has also narrowed two school mental health grant programs, Mental Health Service Professional Demonstration grant program and School-Based Mental Health Services grant program. The relaunched programs direct $270 million solely to school psychologists while excluding counselors, social workers, and colleges from applying — a shift away from earlier efforts to build a diverse pipeline of school-based mental health professionals.

In higher education, disparities in federal support remain a major concern. A new report from the Center for American Progress and the Thurgood Marshall College Fund shows that HBCUs received less than 1 percent of federal research and development funding in fiscal year 2023, despite representing 3.2 percent of four-year institutions and producing nearly 18 percent of Black STEM graduates. The report urges Congress and the administration to set benchmarks, expand capacity-building investments, and ensure equitable access to federal research opportunities.

The Trump administration also is using funding decisions to exert political influence. Universities face new pressures through the “Compact for Academic Excellence,” which ties federal research funding to alignment with federal priorities on tuition, admission, and governance. Harvard faces potential suspension or debarment over alleged Title VI violations, and Kentucky has agreed to end in-state tuition for undocumented students following a Department of Justice lawsuit. Meanwhile, the administration is proposing to link federal research grants to ideological compliance, raising concerns about academic freedom and institutional autonomy.

Congressional scrutiny of higher education also is increasing. House and Senate antitrust committees are investigating how major enrollment management firms, the College Board, Ellucian, and Oracle use student data to guide tuition pricing and financial aid decisions, reflecting growing concern over opaque pricing practices.

Finally, access to higher student loans remains constrained. The Department of Education is maintaining a narrow definition of “professional programs” eligible for higher borrowing, excluding critical fields such as nursing, education, and mental health. Advisory committees warn this could push students toward private loans and limit the pipeline for essential professions.

NACAC Advocacy 

This week, NACAC continued to advance its advocacy on behalf of students, college admission counselors, and institutions navigating an increasingly volatile policy environment. On Sept. 30, the U.S. District Court for Massachusetts issued a landmark ruling in AAUP v. Rubio, a case NACAC joined through a amicus brief led by the Presidents’ Alliance on Higher Education and Immigration. The court struck down the administration’s policy of arresting and deporting noncitizen students and faculty for engaging in protected speech, affirming that noncitizens lawfully present in the United States hold the same First Amendment rights as citizens. The decision reinforces the principle that academic freedom and free expression cannot be curtailed on the basis of immigration status or political viewpoint.

NACAC also joined 53 higher education organizations in opposing the Department of Homeland Security’s proposed rule to impose fixed time limits on international students and exchange visitors. The proposed restrictions would disrupt degree completion, undermine experiential learning, and delay work authorization for researchers, threatening both U.S. colleges and the $44 billion economic contribution of international students. Together, the organizations urged DHS to withdraw the rule and instead rely on existing systems to address fraud concerns without destabilizing institutions or harming students.

Finally, NACAC joined more than 60 education organizations in calling on Congress to provide stability and transparency in federal higher education funding. Recent delays in FY 2025 allocations have already hindered program implementation and affected students and families. With FY 2026 appropriations approaching, NACAC and its partners urged lawmakers to ensure funds are spent as intended, preventing further disruption and safeguarding access for underserved students.

Through these efforts, NACAC continues to press for policies that protect free expression, preserve access, and uphold stable, equitable funding for education programs.

Ways You Can Take Action 

We are continuously updating our Take Action page with opportunities to make your voice heard. If you have not already, I encourage you to advocate on the urgent issues below. You can also view all active advocacy campaigns in the yellow column of the Take Action page. 

• Tell Congress: Save TRIO and Support College Access
• Tell Congress: Prioritize Visa Appointments for International Students and Scholars 
• Urge Congress to Protect Postsecondary Pathways 
• Tell Congress: International Students are Essential to America’s Safety, Economy, and Global Strength
• Tell Congress to Not Abandon Our National Commitment to Education
• Urge Congress to Protect Disabled Students 
• Don’t Flunk the Future Advocacy Toolkit 

These are challenging times for students, educators, and institutions, and the decisions being made at the federal level will have lasting consequences. NACAC remains committed to advocating for policies that protect access, equity, and opportunity in education. As Jamil Zaki writes in Hope for Cynics, “It actually is hope — the sense that things could improve in the future — mixed with fury, that inspires people to fight for progress, even when victory seems well out of reach.”

Even in moments of uncertainty, our collective efforts and advocacy ensure that students’ futures remain a priority.