NACAC Advocacy and Policy Updates for May 14, 2025

NACAC is actively monitoring executive orders that pertain to education, diversity, equity, and inclusion, and their potential impacts on the field of college admission counseling. NACAC also is advocating on behalf of its 28,000 members for its policy priorities.

To ensure NACAC’s advocacy efforts are meeting the needs of members, NACAC launched an Impact of Recent U.S. Federal Actions survey where members are encouraged to share their perspectives on how recent federal actions are impacting their work.

Review previous advocacy and policy updates.

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NACAC joins national call to protect higher education from political interference (May 14, 2025) 

NACAC joined 53 organizations in signing a joint statement opposing recent actions by the Trump administration that threaten the longstanding partnership between the federal government and higher education. This partnership has driven innovation, economic growth, and opportunity for all Americans. Political interference that undermines campus autonomy, restricts funding, and targets students and scholars weakens us all. We are calling for a renewed commitment that respects institutional mission, academic freedom, and the critical role colleges and universities play in our democracy.  

Judge reverses Department of Education's abrupt end to states' time to spend COVID relief (May 7, 2025) 

A federal judge has temporarily blocked the U.S. Department of Education's decision to cancel over $1 billion in K-12 education funding for 16 states and the District of Columbia. The judge ruled that the department had failed to provide proper notice before moving up the deadline for spending COVID relief funds. The decision provides relief to these states, who argued the abrupt termination would create budget shortfalls and harm essential programs. The judge's order prevents the department from enforcing the cancellation until the case is resolved or a new court order is issued. However, the ruling does not apply to states that did not participate in the lawsuit. 

NACAC urges Congress to fund Title IV-A (May 6, 2025) 

NACAC joined over 200 organizations and the Title IV-A Coalition in urging Congress to fund the Student Support and Academic Enrichment (SSAE) grant program, also known as Title IV-A, at $1.6 billion in fiscal year 2026. This bipartisan, flexible block grant allows districts to invest in safe and healthy schools, well-rounded education, and technology. The Title IV-A Coalition 2024 survey of more than 850 districts shows strong support for the program's flexibility and wide-ranging uses, from STEM and the arts to mental health and tutoring. Title IV-A is critical to sustaining and expanding programs that close achievement gaps and meet whole-child needs. The Title IV-A Coalition calls on Congress to maintain this vital investment and ensure the funds are implemented as intended.  

NACAC joins 185 organizations in defending access to affordable repayment and forgiveness (May 6, 2025) 

NACAC joined 185 organizations and the Student Borrower Protection Center in signing a coalition letter written in response to the Trump administration's intent to establish a negotiated rulemaking process to change Pay As You Earn (PAYE), Income-Contingent Repayment (ICR), Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF), and other federal financial aid programs. NACAC strongly supports both income-driven repayment (IDR) and Public Service Loan Forgiveness because: 

  • They offer a vital safety net for borrowers. 
  • They are powerful tools that help students pursue careers in public service and other mission-driven fields that may not be high-paying but are essential. 
  • They give students and counselors greater clarity when deciding whether and how much to borrow. 
  • They directly benefit our members, especially through PSLF. 

We oppose any efforts to dismantle these programs or limit access to them. 

NACAC welcomes 22 members from seven affiliates for National Advocacy Day (May 5, 2025) 

On Monday, May 5, NACAC welcomed 22 members from seven affiliates to Washington, D.C. for National Advocacy Day. The day began with a policy briefing from Corrine Kerton, manager of research and policy of the Presidents' Alliance on Higher Education and Immigration, who shared timely insights on issues affecting immigrant, undocumented, and mixed-status students and families — including SEVIS revocation and FAFSA access challenges. Ahead of their visits to Capitol Hill, NACAC Director of Advocacy Sean Robins outlined NACAC's legislative priorities and provided a federal policy update, including recent executive orders from the Trump administration, ongoing efforts to dismantle the Department of Education, NACAC's opposition to the House budget reconciliation proposal, highlights from the president's fiscal year 2026 topline budget, and current coalition advocacy efforts. Members were reminded of the power of their personal stories and professional expertise in educating congressional staff and lawmakers at this pivotal moment for students and higher education.  

NACAC opposes president's fiscal year 2026 budget request (May 2, 2025) 

NACAC believes postsecondary education should be accessible to all, and that requires leaders who see higher education as the public good it is. The president's topline budget request for FY 2026 would eliminate or drastically reduce funding for critical federal financial aid programs like TRIO, GEAR UP, Federal Work-Study, SEOG, and CCAMPIS. These programs help low-income, first-generation, parenting, and migrant students access college and succeed there. Cutting them sends a troubling message that the success of historically underserved students is no longer a federal priority. Education isn't a private luxury; it is a public good that strengthens communities, drives economic resilience, and builds a more equitable society. NACAC opposes this budget request as it would significantly undermine federal support for programs that promote college access, readiness, and affordability. 

NACAC supports Know Before You Owe Federal Student Loan Act (May 2, 2025) 

The bipartisan Know Before You Owe Federal Student Loan Act of 2025 is an important step toward improving transparency and equity in the path to higher education. This legislation strengthens annual loan counseling to ensure students have the information they need to make informed, responsible borrowing decisions. By replacing one-time entrance counseling with annual pre-loan counseling, requiring students to manually confirm loan amounts, and offering tailored projections of post-graduation repayment, the bill empowers students to borrow only what they need and to plan for their future. "NACAC supports the Know Before You Owe Federal Student Loan Act of 2025 as a critical step toward ensuring students receive clear, personalized, and timely information about borrowing. Strengthening loan counseling requirements will help students make informed decisions, minimize unnecessary debt, and navigate a more equitable path to higher education," said NACAC CEO Angel B. Pérez. 

NACAC opposes House Budget Reconciliation Bill (May 1, 2025) 

NACAC strongly opposes the House Budget Reconciliation Bill that's under consideration by the House Education and Workforce Committee. The proposal would slash need-based financial aid, make student loans more expensive, and dismantle vital protections for students — making higher education further out of reach for all but the wealthy. Read more.