{"id":5232,"date":"2026-03-13T09:20:37","date_gmt":"2026-03-13T13:20:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/admitted.nacacnet.org\/wordpress\/?p=5232"},"modified":"2026-03-13T09:20:37","modified_gmt":"2026-03-13T13:20:37","slug":"advocacy-update-march-13-2026","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/admitted.nacacnet.org\/wordpress\/index.php\/2026\/03\/13\/advocacy-update-march-13-2026\/","title":{"rendered":"Advocacy Update – March 13, 2026"},"content":{"rendered":"

By Sean Robins, NACAC’s director of advocacy<\/strong><\/p>\n

Welcome to this issue of the Advocacy Update on NACAC\u2019s Admitted<\/em> blog. Much has continued to unfold since our last Advocacy Update. Federal education policy is moving in multiple directions at once \u2014 new data reporting requirements are taking effect, structural changes within the U.S. Department of Education are raising questions about program oversight, and new projections warn that the Pell Grant program could face an $11.5 billion funding shortfall, putting one of the nation\u2019s most important need-based aid programs under increased scrutiny. At the same time, states are advancing new affordability initiatives and institutions are responding to shifting federal expectations around admissions, data, and compliance.<\/p>\n

Policy & Legislative Updates<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Admissions Data & ACTS<\/strong>
\nColleges must now report seven years of detailed admissions data through the ACTS survey<\/a>, including test scores, GPA information, and demographics. Institutions have concerns about the complexity and timeline for reporting this data by March 18.<\/p>\n
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Pell Grant Shortfall<\/strong>
\nThe Pell Grant program may face an $11.5 billion funding shortfall<\/a>, raising questions about the long-term sustainability of federal need-based aid.<\/p>\n

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Advocacy Impact<\/strong>
\nGeorgia is advancing a new need-based financial aid program<\/a> following years of advocacy by college access leaders, including NACAC and SACAC members.<\/p>\n

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Global Enrollment<\/strong>
\nStudent visas issued for the fall 2025 cycle dropped by more than 35 percent<\/a>, highlighting new pressures affecting international enrollment.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

The policy landscape surrounding college access and higher education continues to evolve rapidly. Over the past several weeks, federal agencies, Congress, state legislatures, and the courts have all taken actions that could shape the environment for students, institutions, and the college admission counseling profession. Taken together, these developments point to a period of continued transition in federal education policy, student aid, and institutional oversight.<\/p>\n

One of the most significant shifts is occurring inside the federal government itself. The U.S. Department of Education continues to undergo structural changes that may reshape how federal education programs are administered. The administration has expanded its use of interagency agreements (IAAs)<\/a> to move management of certain programs to other federal agencies \u2014 including the Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and State. While the Education Department retains statutory authority over these programs, other agencies are increasingly responsible for day-to-day management and grant administration. Members of Congress<\/a> have raised concerns about transparency, oversight, and whether these moves could fragment federal education programs.<\/p>\n

The department is also operating with a significantly reduced workforce<\/a> following last year\u2019s large-scale layoffs. Watchdog reports<\/a> and outside experts say the staffing reductions have strained key functions such as civil rights enforcement, student loan oversight, and grant monitoring.<\/p>\n

Higher education institutions are navigating increased federal scrutiny as well. Although courts have blocked some federal guidance<\/a> targeting diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives, the administration continues to pursue enforcement through civil rights investigations, grant conditions, and other regulatory tools. One example is a proposed change through the U.S. General Services Administration<\/a> that would require nearly all recipients of federal funding \u2014 including colleges, universities, school districts, and nonprofit organizations \u2014 to certify compliance with the administration\u2019s interpretations of federal law<\/a> related to diversity, equity, and inclusion, immigration, public safety, and religious liberty.<\/p>\n

Institutions are also adapting to new federal reporting requirements tied to admissions practices following the Supreme Court\u2019s decision ending race-conscious admissions. Through the Admissions and Consumer Transparency Supplement (ACTS)<\/a> to the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System, selective institutions are being asked to report detailed historical admissions data, including test scores, grade point averages, and demographic information. NACAC and coalition partners have warned that the complexity of the reporting requirements and compressed timeline make it difficult for institutions to submit accurate data. The policy is also facing legal challenges. A coalition of 17 states<\/a> recently filed a lawsuit challenging<\/a> the federal data collection requirement, arguing that it is burdensome, rushed, and risks turning federal education data systems into tools for enforcement rather than research.<\/p>\n

Student aid policy is experiencing significant change as well. Legal developments and regulatory actions have created continued uncertainty around the future of the SAVE income-driven repayment plan<\/a>, while federal watchdog reports<\/a> have raised concerns about reduced oversight of student loan servicers following staffing cuts at the Department of Education.<\/p>\n

Another major concern involves the long-term sustainability of federal need-based aid. The Congressional Budget Office<\/a> recently warned that the Pell Grant program could face an $11.5 billion funding shortfall within the next few years. With more than 7 million students relying on Pell Grants annually, the program\u2019s financial outlook is a critical issue for students, institutions, and policymakers alike.<\/p>\n

Federal aid systems<\/a> are also being updated to implement provisions of the OBBBA, including the creation of a Workforce Pell program and new limits on federal student loan borrowing.<\/p>\n

Beyond Washington, states are playing an increasingly active role in shaping higher education policy. Several states are exploring new ways to support minority-serving institutions<\/a> amid uncertainty about federal funding, while others are tying academic programs more directly to workforce outcomes. In Indiana, lawmakers are advancing legislation<\/a> that would review and potentially close college programs whose graduates earn less than typical high school diploma holders.<\/p>\n

Georgia is also moving forward with a landmark need-based financial aid program<\/a>, marking a major shift in a state that has historically relied on merit-based aid through the HOPE Scholarship. The proposal reflects years of advocacy from college access leaders \u2014 including NACAC and SACAC members \u2014 who have pushed for stronger need-based financial aid to improve affordability for students with the greatest financial need.<\/p>\n

Global developments are also affecting the higher education landscape. New data shows that student visas issued ahead of the fall 2025 semester dropped by more than 35 percent<\/a>, reflecting visa delays, policy changes, and increasing global competition for international students.<\/p>\n

NACAC Advocacy<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Since the last Advocacy Update, NACAC has continued to engage policymakers and coalition partners on key issues affecting college access, affordability, and accountability across higher education. NACAC recently endorsed the Lowering Student Loans Act<\/a>, bipartisan legislation introduced by Rep. Mike Thompson (D-CA) and Rep. Jim Moylan (R-GU) that would set a fixed 2 percent interest rate on all federal student loans beginning July 1, 2026. The proposal would apply to both new and existing federal loans and would automatically reduce rates for borrowers unless they opt out. Lowering interest rates across the federal loan portfolio would help ease long-term repayment burdens and improve financial stability for millions of borrowers who rely on federal loans to pursue higher education.<\/p>\n

NACAC is also working with a coalition of higher education and research organizations to elevate implementation challenges related to the Admissions and Consumer Transparency Supplement (ACTS)<\/a> reporting requirements within IPEDS. The coalition has urged federal officials to make practical adjustments \u2014 including updates to reporting fields and an extension of the submission timeline \u2014 to help institutions ensure accurate reporting during this first collection cycle. NACAC and its partners are also sharing resources and guidance<\/a> to support admission professionals and institutional partners as they navigate the evolving requirements.<\/p>\n

In addition, NACAC has endorsed the Proprietary Education Oversight Task Force Act<\/a>, introduced by Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL), which would strengthen federal oversight of proprietary institutions through improved coordination among federal agencies, greater transparency around investigations and enforcement actions, and the creation of a \u201cFor-Profit College Warning List\u201d to help students and families better understand institutional risk.<\/p>\n

Earlier this month, NACAC welcomed members of the Pacific Northwest Association for College Admission Counseling (PNACAC) to Washington, D.C., where they met with their members of Congress to advocate for policies that support students and the college admission counseling profession. NACAC helped provide policy briefings, advocacy materials, and coordination support to ensure members were well prepared for their meetings and able to effectively elevate the priorities of college admission counseling professionals and the students they serve.<\/p>\n

Together, these efforts reflect NACAC\u2019s continued commitment to advancing policies that expand college access, strengthen accountability, and ensure students and families have the information and support they need to navigate the path to higher education.<\/p>\n

Ways You Can Take Action<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

We are continuously updating our <\/span>Take Action<\/span><\/b> page<\/span><\/b><\/a> 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.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n