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.