Please find below news on NACAC's government relations issues as well as resources for NACAC professionals related to these issues. For more information, contact NACAC staff at legislative@nacacnet.org.
Professional Resources
Budget and Appropriations
Find here information on annual appropriations Congress provides for 13 agencies, including the U.S. Department of Education. NACAC regularly advocates on behalf of federal education programs that support college awareness, school counseling, access to college preparatory coursework, financial aid for colleges, and other education priorities.
Diversity on Campus
NACAC has collected resources for counseling and admission professionals in pursuit and maintenance of diversity on campus.
DREAM Act
The DREAM Act is a narrowly tailored legislative remedy for undocumented students who were brought to the United States as minors, have attended and completed secondary education in the U.S. but have no clear path to citizenship. This bill would grant those paths for students seeking higher education or military careers. NACAC supports the DREAM Act as a college access initiative, and has been working on its passage since 2001.
Economic Crisis
Listen to firsthand accounts of how the economic downturn is affecting school counselors and college admission officers. Also access news reports and resources related to state education and the economy, as well as information about the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, the economic stimulus.
Elementary and Secondary Education Act
The Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) of 1965 authorized the funding of federal K-12 education programs. The most recent version of ESEA was the No Child Left Behind (NCLB) Act of 2001. The law is overdue for reauthorization and NACAC is working with the 112th Congress to improve college counseling in the next version of ESEA.
Higher Education Act
Resources for college counseling and admission professionals related to the Higher Education Act (HEA) and related legislation, including the Higher Education Opportunity Act, the College Cost Reduction and Access Act, and the Ensuring Continued Access to Student Loans Act.
Rigorous Curriculum
Resources for counseling and admission professionals interested in the benefits and availability of rigorous curricula.
Private Student Loans
Find out what steps and provisions are being taken in order to ensure that private student lending outside of the federal loan programs is carefully monitored to ensure that student and family concerns are being protected.
Student Aid Program Integrity
NACAC's SPGP governs practice in recruitment, admission, and enrollment at member institutions. At the federal level, NACAC advocates for legislation and regulations that promote ethical admisison practices and reduce the potential for waste, fraud, and abuse.
Scholarships and Financial Aid Resources
For college counseling and admission professionals looking to learn more about navigating information on scholarships and financial aid.
Student Aid and Fiscal Responsibility Act (SAFRA)
Legislation to invest billions of dollars directly in students and families by ending the Federal Family Education Loan Program. Savings would be used to increase the maximum Pell Grant award, grow student college access and completion programs, simplify the FAFSA form, and provide loan forgiveness for active servicemen and women called up to duty during the academic year.
Veterans
Financial aid and other higher education-related resources for veterans, active duty service members and National Guard members.