NACAC Advocacy and Policy Updates for August 4, 2026
By: Sean Robins
Welcome to this issue of the Advocacy Update. Federal policy does not stop when Congress leaves Washington, D.C. — and neither does advocacy.
Over the past month, the pace of federal action affecting higher education has remained relentless. Congress has continued advancing legislation and negotiating federal funding, the administration has pursued significant changes through executive action, regulatory revisions, and enforcement, and the courts have continued shaping the legal landscape for colleges and universities. Together, these developments are influencing nearly every aspect of higher education—from admissions and financial aid to international education, research, civil rights, and institutional operations.
For admission counseling professionals, staying informed has never been more important. Understanding these developments not only helps us better support students and institutions, but also ensures our collective voice remains part of the national conversation. This Advocacy Update looks at some of the most significant federal policy developments from the past month, along with updates on NACAC’s advocacy efforts and opportunities for you to get involved.
Policy & Legislative Updates
Congress spent much of July balancing two significant priorities: advancing higher education legislation while continuing work to fund the federal government before the current fiscal year expires. The Senate HELP Committee considered one of its most active higher education markups in recent years, advancing several bipartisan bills that could have meaningful implications for students and institutions, including the College Transparency Act and the Respond, Innovate, Succeed, and Empower (RISE) Act. The committee also approved bipartisan legislation that would prohibit the transfer of several Department of Education offices through interagency agreements, reflecting continued congressional oversight of the department’s statutory responsibilities.
The House passed largely party-line legislation that would codify several of the Department of Education’s existing interagency agreements (IAAs), effectively authorizing the transfer of certain departmental functions to other federal agencies. Although the House package did not include legislation addressing the Office for Civil Rights (OCR) or the Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services (OSERS) agreements, Congress has now advanced two distinct approaches to the administration’s reorganization efforts. As lawmakers return to Washington, discussions surrounding the Department of Education’s structure and responsibilities are expected to remain a central focus of the higher education policy agenda.
Congress also continued negotiations over fiscal year 2027 funding. While the House has already passed a continuing resolution (CR) which would go through Dec. 4, the Senate Appropriations Committee recently released its own CR proposal, which would fund most federal programs through Dec. 11, 2026, while delaying implementation of the Office of Management and Budget’s revised Uniform Guidance until the same date. Senate leadership is expected to bring the measure to the floor before lawmakers leave Washington this week. Because the House and Senate proposals differ, negotiations between the two chambers will continue before a final agreement can be reached.
While Congress continues its legislative work, the administration has continued reshaping education through executive action, regulatory revisions, and enforcement activities. Throughout July, the Department of Justice expanded investigations into medical school admissions, state tuition equity laws, institutional financial aid practices, and foreign partnerships involving colleges and universities. These investigations continue to raise important legal questions, with several higher education experts challenging the government’s legal interpretations and analytical methodologies underlying some of its findings.
At the same time, the administration has continued rolling back or proposing to eliminate longstanding federal policies and guidance intended to support students and enforce civil rights protections. During the past month alone, the Department of Education rescinded Title VI disparate impact regulations, eliminated proactive civil rights monitoring requirements for career and technical education programs, narrowed elements of the Civil Rights Data Collection affecting LGBTQ+ students, and continued implementing plans to transfer several departmental functions through interagency agreements. Collectively, these actions represent a significant shift in the federal government’s approach to oversight — moving away from longstanding regulatory protections while increasing enforcement in areas aligned with the administration’s policy priorities. As these changes continue, many are expected to be challenged in court, further reinforcing the judiciary’s growing role in shaping federal higher education policy.
Research funding likewise remained an area of continued uncertainty. Courts issued additional decisions limiting agencies’ ability to terminate grants solely because administrative priorities have changed, while institutions continued expressing concern about reductions in federal research investments and proposals to fundamentally restructure how research funding is awarded. These developments have implications not only for colleges and universities, but also for scientific innovation, workforce development, and the nation’s long-term economic competitiveness.
International education remained another major focus throughout July. New policies ending the longstanding Duration of Status framework for international students, increased scrutiny of foreign gifts and institutional partnerships, and reports that the administration is considering a substantial fee for Optional Practical Training (OPT) all signal continued changes affecting international students studying in the United States. Collectively, these developments raise important questions about the nation’s ability to continue attracting talented students, researchers, and future workforce leaders from around the world.
For students, affordability and financial aid remain among the most consequential issues. Financial aid administrators continue implementing provisions enacted earlier this year while seeking additional federal guidance regarding loan proration requirements, professional degree definitions, and future borrowing limits. At the same time, experts continue questioning whether recently enacted federal loan caps will meaningfully reduce college costs or instead shift greater financial responsibility onto students and families through increased private borrowing, reduced enrollment, or delayed degree completion. Rising student loan defaults and continued uncertainty surrounding repayment options further underscore the financial pressures many students continue to experience.
These financial challenges extend beyond student loans. Institutions continue exploring new approaches to improving student success while responding to changing enrollment patterns and workforce demands. Colleges are expanding direct admissions initiatives, redesigning academic pathways, strengthening workforce partnerships, and rethinking student support systems to improve persistence and completion. At the same time, proposals linking access to basic needs supports to academic milestones have raised concerns among advocates who argue that students facing the greatest financial barriers should not lose access to resources that are often essential to remaining enrolled.
The admissions landscape also continues to evolve. As the Common Application opened for another admissions cycle, institutions continued adjusting standardized testing policies, simplifying application requirements, and refining enrollment strategies in response to demographic shifts and changing student expectations. Meanwhile, bipartisan legislation introduced in the Senate to prohibit legacy admissions at institutions participating in federal student aid programs reflects continued interest in promoting fairness and transparency throughout the admissions process.
Taken together, the developments of the past month demonstrate that federal higher education policy is increasingly being shaped through multiple avenues simultaneously. Congress is continuing its legislative and appropriations work, the administration is advancing its policy agenda through executive action and regulatory changes, and the courts are determining the legal boundaries of many of those actions. For institutions, these overlapping developments require not only close attention to individual policies but also an understanding of how they collectively influence students, campuses, and the future of higher education.
When Congress returns from the August recess, attention will quickly shift to finalizing a continuing resolution, advancing FY27 appropriations, and considering additional higher education legislation. The administration is also expected to release additional regulatory actions affecting student aid, civil rights enforcement, international education, and Department of Education operations.
NACAC Advocacy
As federal higher education policy continues to evolve, NACAC has remained actively engaged in advocating for policies that protect students, strengthen institutions, and preserve educational opportunity. Over the past month, our advocacy efforts have focused on ensuring that changes to federal policy continue to support college access, institutional effectiveness, and student success.
NACAC joined multiple coalition efforts urging policymakers to maintain a fair, transparent, and predictable federal policy environment for higher education. This included advocating for merit-based administration of federal grants and opposing proposed changes that could increase political influence over federal funding decisions or create additional uncertainty for colleges and universities. Stable federal investments and clear administrative processes remain essential to supporting student success and ensuring institutions can effectively steward public resources.
Beyond federal funding, NACAC continued advocating for a strong federal role in education by opposing legislative efforts that would facilitate the transfer of key Department of Education responsibilities to other federal agencies. The Department of Education plays a central role in administering federal student aid, supporting colleges and universities, and protecting students’ educational opportunities. Preserving the department’s ability to carry out these responsibilities remains fundamental to advancing college access, affordability, and student success.
NACAC also worked to defend the long-standing principles that underpin higher education. This month, we joined an amicus brief supporting the principle that while colleges and universities must comply with federal law, the federal government must likewise follow established legal processes when exercising its authority. The brief emphasized that institutional autonomy, academic freedom, and due process are foundational to higher education and should not be undermined through funding decisions that bypass established legal protections. The outcome of this case could have implications well beyond a single institution, shaping the relationship between the federal government and colleges and universities for years to come.
Our advocacy extended to protecting international education as well. NACAC joined a coalition opposing the proposed rescission of regulations governing Title VI International Education and the Fulbright-Hays programs without a replacement framework. International education plays a vital role in preparing students for an increasingly interconnected world, strengthening institutional partnerships, and supporting America’s economic competitiveness. Maintaining stable regulatory guidance helps ensure colleges and universities can continue providing meaningful global learning opportunities while equipping students with the knowledge and skills needed to thrive in a global economy.
As the federal policy landscape continues to evolve, NACAC remains committed to working alongside coalition partners, engaging with policymakers, and ensuring the perspectives of admission counseling professionals help inform decisions affecting students, institutions, and the future of higher education.
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: Preserve Duration of Status
- Tell Congress: Support International Students and Scholars
- Tell Congress: Protect and Support TRIO Programs
- Tell Congress: Oppose Cuts to Student Financial Aid
- Tell Congress: Maintain Support for International Education and Exchange
- 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
The August congressional recess provides one of the best opportunities each year to engage directly with your elected officials. With members of the House already home and senators returning to their states next week, now is the time to schedule a meeting and share how federal higher education policies are affecting students, families, and institutions in your community.
Whether you meet in a district office, attend a town hall, or invite a member of Congress to visit your school, college, or organization, your firsthand experiences provide valuable context that helps shape federal policy. If there’s one action I encourage you to take this month, it’s to schedule a meeting with your members of Congress during the August recess. NACAC’s Advocacy Toolkit and Advocacy in Action offer resources to help you prepare, identify key issues, and make the most of your advocacy efforts.
Civil rights leader Ella Baker once said, “Give people light and they will find the way.” As admission and counseling professionals, we have the privilege and responsibility of helping students navigate their paths to higher education. Through advocacy, we can do the same for policymakers — sharing our experiences, illuminating the challenges students face, and helping shape policies that expand opportunity for generations to come. Thank you for continuing to be a voice for students and for your unwavering commitment to advancing educational opportunity.
Sean Robins is director of advocacy at National Association for College Admission Counseling (NACAC), where he leads federal and state advocacy efforts to advance policies that support college access, affordability, and student success.