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.