By Sean Robins, NACAC’s director of advocacy

Welcome to this issue of the Advocacy Update on NACAC’s Admitted blog. In Washington, D.C., the cherry blossoms have peaked and spring is underway — a moment that often signals renewal, reflection, and forward movement. This year, that sense of momentum is matched by rapid developments in federal education policy that are redefining the role of the federal government and reshaping how students access and navigate postsecondary pathways. From proposed changes in the President’s FY 2027 budget to the shifting administration of federal programs and ongoing legal challenges, the landscape is changing quickly — often with direct implications for institutions, counselors, and the students they serve. At the same time, NACAC and our members are actively engaging in this moment — elevating concerns, shaping implementation, and ensuring that student access, affordability, and success remain central to these conversations.

Policy & Legislative Updates 

At the center of this moment is a continued effort to redefine the federal role in education. The President’s FY 2027 budget proposal maintains core investments like Pell Grants while advancing targeted cuts and elimination of programs that support institutional capacity, student services, and equity-focused initiatives. The budget request proposes to eliminate funding for Minority Serving Institutions (MSIs), and tribal colleges and universities. While recent announcements shift long-standing programs — such as TRIO — toward workforce pipelines further reflect a broader reorientation of federal priorities. While workforce alignment remains important, these changes raise questions about whether federal investments will continue to support students’ pathways to and through postsecondary education in a comprehensive way.

These shifts are not occurring in isolation. Interagency agreements continue to move key functions out of the U.S. Department of Education, raising questions about oversight, implementation, and long-term program stability. The operational impacts are already visible, from staffing constraints affecting data collection efforts to workplace challenges emerging as employees are reassigned across agencies. More broadly, these moves signal a restructuring of how federal education programs are administered, with potential implications for how institutions and students access critical supports.

The rollout of the ACTS admissions data collection illustrates the tension between policy ambition and implementation. A federal court has blocked the requirement for public institutions in 17 states and extended deadlines for additional colleges and associations seeking to join the case. Although the department retains authority to collect admissions data, the court’s ruling points to concerns about a rushed rollout, unclear data governance, and the practical limitations of implementation amid ongoing restructuring. Institutions outside of the 17 states, however, were still required to submit their data by March 31 — or April 8 if granted an extension by the department — creating a fragmented compliance landscape as legal challenges continue.

Courts more broadly have become a central venue for advancing — and challenging — education policy. The administration has increasingly turned to litigation to enforce its priorities across admissions, civil rights, and institutional accountability. In response, states, institutions, and associations have pursued their own legal challenges. The result is a patchwork of policies and timelines that vary across states and sectors, complicating compliance and long-term planning.

Federal actions tied to civil rights enforcement and funding conditions are also reshaping campus operations. New proposed requirements linking federal funding to institutional certifications around diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), the termination of prior Title IX agreements, and expanded investigations into admissions practices are prompting institutions to reassess programs, student supports, and compliance strategies in real time. Early impacts are already visible, from changes to student organization funding to increased scrutiny of campus policies and practices.

State-level developments are adding another layer of complexity. Efforts to challenge long-standing protections — such as Plyler v. Doe — are advancing unevenly, with proposals in some states failing while others continue to move through legislative committees. Debates over in-state tuition for undocumented students also remain active, with recent court decisions and gubernatorial actions preserving access in some states even as others pursue restrictions. Together, these developments highlight a growing divergence in how states approach college access and affordability for immigrant students.

The ripple effects of policy decisions are being felt earlier in the education pipeline as well. In some communities, immigration enforcement actions have contributed to declining K-12 enrollment and attendance, leading to funding shortfalls for school districts and reduced access to student supports. More broadly, declining enrollment trends are placing sustained pressure on school funding models, forcing difficult decisions about staffing, programming, and long-term planning. These challenges have direct implications for college access, as students’ preparation and advising environments continue to shift.

For students navigating the transition to postsecondary education, the process can still be complex and difficult to navigate. Research and policy discussions continue to point to the complexity of the college-going process — from applications to financial aid — as a persistent challenge. Efforts such as the Great Admissions Redesign aim to simplify and modernize this experience, improving transparency and aligning systems with how students actually make decisions. New research also reinforces the importance of maintaining accessible pathways, including strong support for test-optional policies and advising structures that help students make informed choices.

Access to financing remains another critical concern. Recent analysis shows that more than 40 percent of Americans — particularly those from low-income backgrounds — would be unable to qualify for private student loans if federal borrowing options are constrained. This raises important questions about how students will finance their education moving forward and underscores the continued importance of federal aid programs in promoting equitable access.

The direction of federal investment, the structure of oversight, and the balance between access, accountability, and autonomy are all being actively contested. These debates are unfolding in real time across courts, federal agencies, and state legislatures, shaping both the immediate and long-term landscape for postsecondary education. As these policies continue to evolve, the implications for students — particularly those navigating access, affordability, and completion — remain central. Ensuring that these considerations stay at the forefront will be critical in the months ahead.

NACAC Advocacy 

Since the last Advocacy Update, NACAC has continued to advance a comprehensive federal advocacy strategy focused on protecting college access, strengthening student supports, and ensuring federal policy reflects the realities students and institutions are facing.

A central focus has been federal student aid. NACAC endorsed the Restoring College Access and Affordability Act, introduced by Richard Blumenthal, which seeks to reverse recent changes that have made it more difficult for students and families to afford college. The legislation would restore key loan programs, protect borrower relief pathways, and reinstate flexible repayment options — steps that are critical to stabilizing the federal aid system and supporting students through completion.

NACAC has also remained actively engaged in shaping the implementation of new and emerging aid programs. Through coalition advocacy, NACAC urged the Department of Education to refine Workforce Pell regulations to ensure the program expands opportunity without creating new barriers. These efforts focused on both improving access — by clarifying eligibility and implementation — and strengthening safeguards to protect students from low-quality programs, fraud, and abuse. Together, these recommendations aim to ensure Workforce Pell delivers on its promise while maintaining the integrity of the Pell Grant program.

At the same time, NACAC has raised concerns about broader structural changes to federal education policy. In partnership with more than 110 organizations through the Committee for Education Funding, NACAC called for greater transparency and accountability around the Department of Education’s use of interagency agreements to shift oversight of federal programs. These changes, which impact tens of billions in funding, carry real risks for program continuity, timely distribution of aid, and effective oversight — making clarity and coordination essential.

NACAC has also continued to monitor and respond to developments related to the Admissions and Consumer Transparency Supplement (ACTS). Following a federal court decision to pause implementation for public institutions in 17 states, NACAC underscored the need for a more deliberate and transparent approach to data collection — one that addresses concerns related to burden, data quality, and student privacy. As legal proceedings continue, NACAC remains focused on ensuring that institutions have the guidance and time needed to comply effectively.

Finally, NACAC provided analysis on the President’s FY 2027 budget proposal, highlighting its implications for college access and student support. While the proposal maintains Pell Grant funding, it would significantly narrow federal investments by eliminating or reducing programs that support students on the path to and through college, including TRIO and GEAR UP. It also advances a broader restructuring of federal education policy through interagency agreements, raising important questions about capacity, coordination, and the long-term role of the federal government in supporting students and institutions.

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: Keep Education Programs at the Department of Education
• Tell Congress: Prioritize Visa Appointments for International Students and Scholars 
• Tell Congress to Not Abandon Our National Commitment to Education
• Urge Congress to Protect Disabled Students 
• Don’t Flunk the Future Advocacy Toolkit 

As these developments continue to unfold, the direction of federal policy — and its impact on students — is still being shaped in real time. The work happening across NACAC, our partners, and our members reflects a shared commitment to ensuring that access to postsecondary education remains strong, even as the systems that support it continue to shift. From engaging in coalition advocacy to informing policy discussions and elevating on-the-ground experiences, your efforts are helping to ensure that students remain at the center of these decisions.

At its core, this advocacy is grounded in service — to students, to one another, and to expanding opportunity through postsecondary education. In many ways, it reflects the idea that the most meaningful impact comes not from any single action, but from a collective commitment to showing up for others. As Mahatma Gandhi observed, “the best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others.”