By Sean Robins, NACAC’s director of advocacy

Welcome to the latest Advocacy Update on NACAC’s Admitted blog. Thank you to all our members who joined us last week in Columbus, Ohio for the NACAC Conference 2025 — it was inspiring to connect in person and discuss the pressing issues facing the college admission counseling community. At the conference, we also launched NACAC’s new Advocacy Toolkit, designed to provide members with practical resources to engage policymakers, communicate the value of college access programs, and protect students’ opportunities. In Washington, D.C., a potential government shutdown looms if Congress cannot reach agreement on a Continuing Resolution by Oct. 1, creating uncertainty for education funding and federal programs. NACAC remains committed to ensuring students have equitable access to higher education and that institutions have the resources they need to serve them.

Policy & Legislative Updates 

The Education Department launched the 2026–27 FAFSA this week, meeting its Oct. 1 target date. Still, a new GAO report warns that future forms remain vulnerable to the same technical breakdowns that plagued last year’s rollout. GAO pointed to weaknesses in contractor oversight, staffing, and testing plans, raising concerns about whether FSA has the accountability measures in place to prevent similar disruptions to aid access.

At the same time, courts and federal agencies are weighing in on policies with far-reaching impact. Judges in Washington and Rhode Island temporarily blocked a Trump administration directive requiring immigration status verification for programs like Head Start, adult education, and career training, citing evidence of enrollment declines and classroom closures. In another case, a federal judge declined to reinstate more than $1 billion in NSF research grants canceled under the administration’s anti-DEI directive, underscoring the broad scope of its efforts to dismantle equity-related programs in science and innovation. Meanwhile, the administration is also unilaterally canceling hundreds of federal education grants, halting multi-year awards midstream and leaving schools and nonprofits scrambling to fill funding gaps. A separate ruling ordered the administration to restore $500 million in frozen federal grants to UCLA, protecting critical medical research projects. And in the federal workforce, a judge ruled that the administration’s mass firing of probationary employees was illegal, a significant win for civil service protections.

Equity-focused education programs remain especially vulnerable. The administration has frozen $660 million in TRIO funding, leaving hundreds of thousands of first-generation and low-income students in limbo. Colleges and nonprofits approved for grants are instead receiving “no cost extensions,” forcing them to cut staff, shutter programs, or scale back services. McNair Scholars also face uncertainty, with many institutions still waiting on delayed awards amid ongoing lawsuits. At the same time, $350 million has been cut from programs supporting minority-serving institutions, Hispanic-serving schools, and STEM opportunities for students of color, with dollars redirected to charter schools and “patriotic” civics programs. While HBCUs and tribal colleges will see a one-time boost, the cuts pit institutions against one another and divert resources away from public education.

The Education Department has also escalated its political fight with elite universities, placing Harvard University on heightened cash monitoring — an unusual step for a university with a $53 billion endowment. Experts call it a political move that could disrupt aid for low-income students and reflects the administration’s broader attacks on elite institutions.

International students are facing mounting challenges as policy shifts drive enrollment declines. New data show student visa arrivals to the U.S. fell to a four-year low this August — down 19 percent from last year, with the steepest declines from Asia. Backlogs, uncertainty, and new hurdles are chilling interest among prospective students. Trump’s recent proclamation adds to these barriers by imposing a one-time $100,000 fee on new H-1B visa applications, a sharp increase that could curb hiring of international graduates, further discourage enrollment, and squeeze industries — especially tech and healthcare — that depend on skilled foreign talent. A new Brookings report warns that restrictive visa policies pose not just enrollment risks but broader financial, economic, and global consequences. Smaller private colleges, particularly Christian institutions where international students make up 30 percent or more of enrollment, face the greatest strain. The report underscores that while elite universities may weather declines, many institutions — and the communities around them — could suffer lasting damage if international students increasingly choose other countries over the U.S.

Public pressure has shown it can make a difference. The Department of Energy recently abandoned a proposed Title IX athletics rule that would have rolled back protections for girls in sports after receiving more than 21,000 comments in opposition. Still, broader efforts to weaken equity protections persist — from federal lawsuits challenging state and local teacher loan forgiveness programs designed to diversify the educator workforce, to new federal proposals privileging “patriotic education” over a full and accurate account of U.S. history. The Department of Education has also launched the America 250 Civics Education Coalition, partnering with more than 40 conservative groups to create civics programming framed as “renewing patriotism,” raising questions about federal involvement in curriculum and the exclusion of more comprehensive perspectives.

The looming government shutdown further complicates the landscape. Trump has urged Republicans to move forward without Democrats and has cancelled scheduled meetings with Democratic leadership, even though bipartisan support is required in the Senate. House Republicans unveiled a seven-week stopgap bill, but Democrats quickly countered with their own proposal to extend health care subsidies, restore frozen funding, and increase oversight of federal spending. Neither side has yet secured a deal, and with the Oct. 1 deadline approaching, the Office of Management and Budget is directing agencies to prepare for mass layoffs rather than temporary furloughs if funding lapses. While some programs with advance funding, like Title I and IDEA, should continue, OMB could still block the release of billions in education funding. The uncertainty is especially concerning given that $22 billion in advance FY 2026 funding for Title I, IDEA, Title II, and CTE grants is scheduled for release Oct. 1.

Adding to the political landscape, Democrat Adelita Grijalva won the special election in Arizona’s 7th District, filling the seat previously held by her late father, Rep. Raúl Grijalva. Her arrival shifts the House balance to 214 Democrats and 219 Republicans, with two vacancies remaining, slightly narrowing the GOP majority as Congress heads toward the Oct. 1 funding deadline.

Meanwhile, student loan borrowers continue to face long delays in accessing promised relief. More than a million income-driven repayment applications remain backlogged, and the PSLF Buyback program is also experiencing long waits. While the Department has made some progress in processing, the American Federation of Teachers is seeking to expand its lawsuit against ED, arguing that these delays unlawfully block borrowers from affordable repayment plans guaranteed under federal law.

On the ground, colleges are navigating both immediate pressures and longer-term structural challenges. A new report from the Hope Center at Temple University highlights the scale of unmet student needs: Eight percent of undergraduates and five percent of graduate students — more than 1.5 million students — experience homelessness, while nearly half face housing insecurity. Food insecurity, lack of technology, and transportation costs compound the crisis, undermining persistence and completion. The National Student Clearinghouse underscores how systemic inequities play out in outcomes, with graduates of high-poverty high schools completing college at less than half the rate of their peers.

Institutions are testing new strategies to signal affordability and build trust with families. Income-based tuition guarantees, now being adopted by a growing number of colleges and universities, are designed to provide clarity up front. Programs like the “W&L Promise” at Washington & Lee and new commitments from Wake Forest, Reed, Emory, MIT, and others aim to cut through sticker-price confusion and demonstrate affordability for low- and middle-income families.

These innovations are emerging against a backdrop of broader public and institutional concern. A new Gallup poll shows public confidence in K-12 education has dropped to a record low, even as parents of K-12 students report relatively high satisfaction with their own children’s schools. Meanwhile, a new ACE survey finds nearly three-quarters of college presidents “extremely concerned” about the federal policy agenda — particularly cuts to research, restrictions on borrowing through OBBBA, and new accountability measures tying institutional outcomes to student earnings.

NACAC Advocacy 

This week, NACAC took action on several fronts to protect access and support student success. We joined an amicus brief in Commonwealth of Virginia et al. v. Secretary of Veterans Affairs, urging the court to uphold veterans’ access to the full 48 months of GI Bill benefits. The brief highlights the financial and educational impacts of limiting benefits, underscoring the importance of timely support for student veterans and their dependents.

NACAC also joined a coalition calling on the Department of Education to preserve Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF). The coalition warned that proposed regulatory changes could conflict with congressional intent, jeopardizing relief for over 2.5 million public service borrowers who pursued lower-paying careers in good faith.

Finally, NACAC endorsed the Community and Technical College Investment Act, which would provide federal grants enabling states to offer tuition-free community and technical college programs for students facing financial hardship. The bill also emphasizes alignment with workforce and social services, outcome tracking, and program sustainability, helping students complete credentials and degrees that lead to meaningful careers.

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 we continue our advocacy work, it is important to remember that the actions we take today can shape a brighter future for students, families, and institutions — even if we may not see the immediate results. In the words of Nelson Henderson, “The true meaning of life is to plant trees under whose shade you do not expect to sit.” By working together, advocating for equitable policies, and supporting access to higher education, we are planting seeds of opportunity that will benefit generations to come.

By Sean Robins, NACAC’s director of advocacy

Welcome to the latest Advocacy Update on NACAC’s Admitted blog. With our annual conference in Columbus, Ohio just days away, we look forward to connecting with members and partners about the issues shaping higher education. In Washington, D.C., budget deadlines and policy shifts continue to place institutions and students under pressure, with Congress still debating how to fund the government beyond the Oct. 1 deadline. NACAC remains focused on ensuring students have equitable access to higher education and institutions have the resources to serve them.

Please note: the next issue of the Advocacy Update will be published on Sept. 26, following the annual conference, and we will be happy to bring you further updates then.

Policy & Legislative Updates 

A government shutdown is looming while Congress weighs a continuing resolution (CR) to keep the government funded past Oct. 1. Republican appropriations leaders have proposed a short-term extension through November, while the administration favors a January extension that would carry funding a third of the way into FY 2026. Democrats have pushed back, noting that passage in the Senate requires 60 votes and therefore bipartisan support. It is unclear if Democrats will approve a “clean” CR, as they want certain priorities included and assurances that enacted funding will not be withheld or rescinded.

Federal funding and policy developments continue to place higher education institutions and students under significant strain. The University of California system recently warned state leaders that federal funding cuts could cost billions and devastate campuses. UC President James B. Milliken highlighted that $500 million has already been frozen at UCLA, warning that continued reductions would force deep cuts to classes, student services, research, and health care, while driving talent out of the state. The stakes are high and immediate, illustrating how federal funding uncertainty directly impacts institutional capacity and student opportunity.

At the federal level, the Department of Education has made several major policy shifts. Most IDEA Part D competitive grants will continue, but $14.8 million has been canceled, redirected to teacher training programs. Some grantees must now certify alignment with the administration’s priorities before receiving awards, and programs referencing diversity, equity, and inclusion concepts were disproportionately affected, signaling a narrowing of federal priorities. Similarly, the department announced discretionary grant programs for minority-serving institutions will be eliminated, impacting Hispanic-Serving Institutions, Predominantly Black Institutions, Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian-Serving Institutions, Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander-Serving Institutions, and Native American-Serving Nontribal Institutions. These actions place $350 million in federal support at risk and raise concerns about destabilizing under-resourced campuses, though HBCUs and Tribal Colleges and Universities remain unaffected.

The Department of Education also is expanding its Office of Consumer Education and Ombudsman to provide students and families with guidance on the risks and benefits of borrowing for college. The shift reflects concerns over the $1.7 trillion federal student loan portfolio and high default rates, with new accountability measures also being developed for loan servicers. The department is simultaneously planning to propose new regulations to streamline the termination of federal funding for institutions found in civil rights violations. This comes amid the Trump administration’s aggressive use of civil rights investigations to freeze or pull billions from institutions over diversity efforts, transgender student inclusion, and responses to campus antisemitism.

Other administrative actions include ending the National Blue Ribbon Schools program, which recognized more than 9,000 schools for academic achievement and progress in closing achievement gaps since 1982. The department cited a desire to “return education to the states,” though this raises questions about consistency and visibility of recognition at a national level. Additionally, the Trump administration is shifting adult education programs to the Department of Labor under a new state plan portal, raising concerns about weakening career and technical education and reducing federal support for students who depend on these programs.

Institutional and student outcomes continue to be affected by these policy shifts. Transfer outcomes for first-time community college students remain largely stagnant, with only 31.6 percent transferring within six years and fewer than half of those earning a bachelor’s degree. Strategies such as dual enrollment, transferring to public four-year institutions, and completing a credential before transfer improve outcomes and illustrate actionable pathways to strengthen student success. Dual enrollment itself has grown significantly, reaching 2.5 million students in 2022-23. Research shows these students are more likely to apply to and be admitted by selective colleges and secure scholarships, with especially strong benefits for Black and Hispanic students. However, access remains uneven across states, leaving many students without equitable access to these opportunities.

A new analysis from the Center for Appropriate Dispute Resolution in Special Education (CADRE) finds that special education disputes are rising sharply, with written state complaints up 22 percent in 2023-24 and nearly double the 10-year average. States are struggling to manage backlogs amid educator shortages and limited capacity, while the Office for Civil Rights operates at reduced staffing levels. Mediation continues to show high success rates, but federal backlogs are forcing states into roles they are not fully equipped to manage.

Student populations with specific needs are also highlighted in recent research. A new report from the Annie E. Casey Foundation highlights the steep barriers young parenting students face, with dropout rates more than 20 points higher than peers. Financial insecurity, lack of child care, and inflexible policies are cited as major barriers. Pilot programs, such as Miami Dade College’s Mission North Star, demonstrate that targeted institutional support can significantly improve retention and completion rates, particularly for students of color and first-generation students.

Data on broader student learning outcomes and institutional impact reflect both pandemic disruptions and longer-term inequities. NAEP results show record-low scores in 12^th grade math and reading, along with widened achievement gaps. While the findings raise concerns about college and career readiness, experts also note that assessments like NAEP may not always receive students’ full attention. Tribal Colleges and Universities continue to demonstrate strong economic and social returns, with graduates contributing billions to the U.S. economy, supporting tens of thousands of jobs, and generating tax revenue at a higher rate than federal investment.

Political and legislative developments are also shaping the higher education landscape. A recent special election in Virginia maintained Democratic control of the 11th District, narrowing the Republican majority in the U.S. House. At the federal level, the House Appropriations Committee advanced a partisan spending bill cutting Title I funding by 26 percent and reducing the Department of Education’s overall budget by 15 percent, while the Senate’s approach remains bipartisan, setting up a contentious budget debate ahead of the Oct. 1 fiscal year deadline. Additionally, a bipartisan coalition of 34 senators is pressing the Department of Education and the Office of Management and Budget to release long-delayed TRIO grants, which serve nearly 870,000 low-income and first-generation students. Delays have forced layoffs and scaled-back services, threatening access to critical advising and support.

Federal research money is set to return to Harvard after a judge ruled the Trump administration’s sweeping funding blockade unlawful. Notices restoring hundreds of grants have begun reaching researchers, though no payments have yet been made. The administration has vowed to appeal, raising the possibility of another disruption.

NACAC Advocacy 

This week, NACAC continued its advocacy to protect students’ access to higher education and strengthen pathways to completion. NACAC joined the Student Aid Alliance in urging Congress to reject harmful cuts in the FY26 budget, including the proposed elimination of the Federal Supplemental Education Opportunity Grant (FSEOG) and a nearly 40 percent reduction in Federal-Work Study (FWS). These programs — alongside the Pell Grant — are essential tools that help low-income students access and succeed in college while meeting workforce demand for postsecondary credentials.

At the same time, NACAC joined 31 other higher education associations in calling on the State Department to exempt international students on F, J, and M visas from the June 2025 travel ban. International students already undergo extensive vetting and monitoring, and their presence strengthens U.S. academic excellence, fuels economic growth, and supports global engagement. Ensuring these students can continue to study in the United States without added barriers helps protect enrollment, research, and the nation’s commitment to education exchange.

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 federal policy and funding debates continue, NACAC remains steadfast in its commitment to protecting student access, supporting institutions, and advancing equity in higher education. The challenges ahead are significant, but so is our collective capacity to act.

As the late U.S. Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg reminded us, “Real change, enduring change, happens one step at a time.”

Every advocacy action, every conversation with policymakers, and every effort to amplify student voices moves us closer to a higher education system that serves all students and communities. Together, we can turn uncertainty into opportunity and continue building pathways for student success.

We look forward to advancing this work alongside you in the weeks ahead and sharing further updates in our Sept. 26 issue, following NACAC Conference 2025.

By Sean Robins, NACAC’s director of advocacy

Welcome to this week’s issue of the Advocacy Update on NACAC’s Admitted blog. Congress has returned from recess, and the House has released its FY26 appropriations bill proposing a 16 percent cut to federal education funding and rescinding $3 billion in already appropriated funds. This stands in sharp contrast to the bipartisan Senate bill that largely maintains current funding levels. If lawmakers cannot pass all 12 appropriations bills, a government shutdown looms unless a Continuing Resolution (CR) is approved by Sept. 30. Given that Congress will be in recess for a week in September, a CR appears the most likely outcome. With so much at stake, NACAC remains focused on ensuring that student access, opportunity, and equity stay at the forefront of national discussions.

Policy & Legislative Updates 

The Department of Homeland Security has proposed ending the long-standing “duration of status” framework for international students, replacing it with a four-year visa cap. This would force students into frequent renewals and paperwork, introducing uncertainty that could discourage enrollment in U.S. institutions. More than one million international students already contribute to our economy and research enterprise. New restrictions risk undermining that pipeline and sending a damaging message abroad. DHS is accepting comments on the proposal until Sept. 29.

Equity gaps remain stark. A study in AERA Open finds that fewer than 6 percent of four-year colleges qualify as “Equity Engines,” enrolling and graduating Pell-eligible students at high rates. Twenty-four states — many with the highest child poverty rates — have none at all. Students who cannot relocate face sharply limited options, while states like California and New York benefit from strong public university systems. Researchers call for targeted investment in “Emerging Equity Engines” to expand opportunity in underserved regions.

States are stepping in where federal protections are under threat. Illinois recently codified the Plyler v. Doe ruling, ensuring undocumented students’ right to a free K–12 education. The Illinois law requires school districts to adopt policies limiting immigration enforcement on school grounds, addressing family fears amid federal crackdowns. With some states challenging Plyler, Illinois’ move offers clarity and consistency for immigrant families.

In Washington, D.C., education funding is again on the chopping block. The House FY26 appropriations bill would cut the Department of Education by $12.4 billion — 16 percent below current funding. The measure slashes Title I by 27 percent, rescinds nearly $3 billion in advance appropriations, eliminates more than a dozen programs including SEOG and teacher grants, and cuts Federal Work Study. It also reduces department staffing by 30 percent, including a 35 percent cut to the Office for Civil Rights. While Pell, TRIO, and GEAR UP are preserved, they are flat funded. Some areas — charter schools, special education, and CTE — see modest increases, but overall, the bill would fund education below 2011 levels. This contrasts sharply with the Senate’s bipartisan bill, which maintains near-level funding. With government funding set to expire on Sept. 30, a continuing resolution appears likely.

Fiscal conflicts extend beyond education. The Trump administration has sought to withhold $4.9 billion in previously approved foreign aid through a “pocket rescission,” drawing bipartisan criticism as a violation of Congress’s constitutional spending authority. Meanwhile, lawsuits over the administration’s freeze of more than $6 billion in K–12 grants have been dismissed after the Education Department  committed to releasing funds by Oct. 3, ending months of disruption.

Additionally, the Education Department has confirmed that the 2026–27 FAFSA will launch on Oct. 1, restoring predictability after recent delays. The Oct. 1 certification fulfills requirements of the FAFSA Deadline Act of 2024, which codified what had long been the expected release date in response to prior administrative challenges. For millions of students and families, an on-time FAFSA is critical to planning for enrollment and financial aid.

Immigration enforcement continues to fuel trauma and barriers from K–12 to college. Increased activity and state rollbacks of tuition equity are pushing students without legal status to withdraw, delay, or shift to online programs. The Department of Justice has also sued Illinois over its policy granting in-state tuition to undocumented students, though state leaders have defended it as consistent with federal law.

Courts are playing a key role in checking politically motivated actions. A federal judge struck down the Trump administration’s $2.2 billion funding freeze on Harvard University, ruling it unconstitutional and ideologically driven. The decision aligns with arguments made in an amicus brief filed by ACE on behalf of 28 higher education associations — including NACAC — and underscores the dangers of politicizing funding in ways that threaten research and institutional autonomy.

Finally, a new report from Trellis Strategies highlights the challenges facing student parents, who make up nearly one in five college students. They are more likely to work full time, struggle with basic needs, and face heightened risks of stopping out. With federal childcare supports such as CCAMPIS at risk, institutions must step up with services and strategies that help student parents persist and complete their degrees.

NACAC Advocacy 

This week, NACAC advanced its advocacy on multiple fronts as federal policy debates intensified. We joined 40 higher education associations in urging the Department of Education to ensure a clear, stable implementation of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA). With millions of students and families depending on new loan limits, repayment plans, and earnings data, the coalition called for updated systems, adequate staffing, transparent communication, and full representation of financial aid administrators and diverse institutions in the upcoming negotiated rulemaking. We emphasized that thoughtful planning and resources are essential to avoid disruption in access to aid and student borrowing.

NACAC also applauded a federal court ruling that struck down the Trump administration’s $2.2 billion funding freeze on Harvard University. The court found the freeze unconstitutional and politically motivated, underscoring the importance of protecting academic freedom and free speech. NACAC joined 28 higher education associations in submitting an amicus brief earlier this year, urging the administration to end such politically driven attacks. The decision affirms the vital role of higher education in research and innovation and rejects attempts to weaponize federal funding against institutions.

Finally, NACAC voiced opposition to the House FY26 appropriations bill, which proposes a 16 percent cut to the Department of Education, including steep reductions to Title I, student aid, and institutional support programs. The bill also eliminates or freezes key higher education initiatives and reduces staffing across the department, including the Office for Civil Rights. By contrast, the Senate’s bipartisan bill protects funding near current levels. NACAC continues to call on Congress to reject these harmful cuts, preserve critical programs, and act responsibly to keep the government funded.

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 

Even in the face of uncertainty, our collective advocacy continues to make a difference — in the courts, in Congress, and in communities across the country. Progress is not always immediate, but steady, persistent action shapes the path forward.

As the writer H. Jackson Brown Jr. reminds us: “In the confrontation between the stream and the rock, the stream always wins — not through strength, but through perseverance.”

Thank you for the perseverance you bring to supporting students every day. NACAC will continue to keep you informed and amplify your voices as these debates unfold in the weeks ahead.