NACAC Advocacy and Policy Updates for July 7, 2026
By: Sean Robins
Welcome to this issue of the Advocacy Update. In higher education, the passage of legislation is rarely the end of the story — it is often the beginning of a new chapter. The weeks and months that follow are shaped by implementation, regulatory guidance, court decisions, and state action, all of which determine how new policies ultimately affect students, institutions, and the professionals who support them.
This summer is a clear example. While many in higher education are taking a well-earned opportunity to recharge, policymakers continue shaping the future of postsecondary education through implementation, litigation, and regulatory action. For college admission professionals, staying informed is more than keeping up with the news — it is an essential part of advocacy. This issue of the Advocacy Update examines the latest federal and state developments and what they may mean for students, institutions, and the professionals committed to expanding educational opportunity.
Policy & Legislative Updates
The past two weeks have marked one of the most consequential periods for higher education policy in recent years. On July 1, many of the higher education provisions included in OBBBA officially took effect, changing key aspects of the federal student aid system. New graduate and Parent PLUS borrowing limits, Workforce Pell Grants, revised repayment options, and new accountability measures are now moving from legislation to implementation, requiring colleges, financial aid administrators, and students to navigate one of the most significant operational transitions in decades.
The implementation of these changes has coincided with a series of federal court decisions, agency guidance, and state policy actions that continue to shape how the law will ultimately affect students and institutions. From ongoing litigation over graduate borrowing limits and Public Service Loan Forgiveness to new legal challenges involving tuition equity policies and institutional accountability, higher education continues to operate in an increasingly dynamic policy environment. Together, these developments illustrate that while Congress established the framework for many of these changes, their practical impact will continue to evolve through agency implementation, court decisions, and state action.
For many institutions, the immediate focus has been implementation. Financial aid administrators entered the July 1 transition after receiving important federal guidance only days before several provisions became effective. Colleges have been updating financial aid packages, revising borrower counseling materials, and interpreting new regulations while several key policies remain subject to ongoing litigation. Although Department of Education officials have described these as some of the most significant changes to federal student aid in decades, financial aid professionals continue to emphasize the need for additional written guidance to ensure consistent implementation and help students understand how the changes affect borrowing and repayment options.
One of the most significant legal developments involves the Department of Education’s definition of “professional” graduate degree programs. Just days before the new borrowing limits took effect, a federal court ruled that the department exceeded its authority by narrowing the definition of professional degrees eligible for higher federal loan limits. In response, the department issued a revised list expanding eligibility for several health-related disciplines while continuing to defend its original rule in court. Graduate education programs — including school counseling, educational leadership, and teacher preparation — remain excluded from the expanded list, leaving students in those programs subject to lower annual and lifetime borrowing limits. The litigation underscores the continued uncertainty surrounding implementation and the financial implications for students pursuing careers in education and other public service professions.
Questions also remain about how the new borrowing limits may influence student financing decisions. Several policy organizations have warned that students whose educational costs exceed the new federal caps may increasingly rely on private student loans, which often require stronger credit histories, may require cosigners, and generally provide fewer borrower protections than federal loans. Economists remain divided on whether limiting federal borrowing will ultimately reduce graduate tuition. While some believe the changes could place downward pressure on institutional pricing over time, others argue that graduate education costs are driven by numerous factors and are unlikely to decline significantly in the near future.
Borrowers are also preparing for broader changes to the federal repayment system. New analyses suggest that many borrowers may face higher monthly payments as previous repayment options are phased out, while research examining the pandemic-era payment pause indicates that many borrowers used the temporary relief to assume additional mortgages, auto loans, and other financial obligations. As repayment resumes alongside these debts, researchers continue to express concern that delinquency rates may increase, particularly among lower-income borrowers. Organizations representing borrowers have emphasized the importance of clear communication and affordable repayment pathways as millions transition into the new federal repayment framework.
The courts have also played an important role in shaping implementation beyond graduate borrowing. A federal judge recently blocked the Department of Education from narrowing eligibility for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program, concluding that the department likely exceeded its statutory authority by attempting to redefine which nonprofit organizations qualify for loan forgiveness. Existing PSLF eligibility rules remain in place while the litigation proceeds, preserving access to loan forgiveness for eligible public service workers.
Beyond student aid, federal legal challenges continue to reshape college access policy. The Department of Justice has expanded its effort to challenge state tuition equity laws, filing lawsuits against Massachusetts and Rhode Island while similar litigation continues in Kansas and other states. These lawsuits seek to invalidate state policies allowing certain undocumented students to qualify for in-state tuition based on residency and high school attendance rather than immigration status. At the same time, Florida has continued moving in the opposite direction by approving new policies prohibiting undocumented students from enrolling in the state’s public colleges, following last year’s repeal of in-state tuition eligibility. Together, these actions reflect a growing divide among states over access to postsecondary education for undocumented students and suggest tuition equity will remain a significant legal and policy issue in the coming year.
Meanwhile, the Department of Education continues to undergo substantial organizational change. Workforce reductions, office transfers, and the movement of major responsibilities — including the Office for Civil Rights and the Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services — to other federal agencies continue to reshape how federal education programs are administered. A recent Office of Inspector General report documented the scale of these changes, raising broader questions about the department’s long-term capacity to administer student aid programs, oversee institutional compliance, conduct civil rights investigations, and support students and institutions.
Institutions are also navigating challenges that extend beyond federal policy implementation. Continued declines in international student enrollment have renewed concerns about institutional finances, as many colleges rely on international tuition revenue to support academic programs, student services, and campus operations. At the same time, institutions are preparing to implement new earnings-based accountability measures while adapting to a changing regulatory environment that continues to evolve through agency guidance and court decisions. Together, these pressures are prompting many colleges and universities to reassess financial strategies, enrollment planning, and student support services.
The higher education policy landscape continues to evolve at a rapid pace. While many of the statutory changes included in OBBBA are now in effect, their long-term impact will ultimately be shaped through ongoing litigation, regulatory implementation, and future federal and state policy decisions. In a recent interview with Inside Higher Ed, higher education legal scholar Peter Lake described this moment as one of the most significant periods of transformation for higher education in decades, arguing that institutions are navigating not only changes to student aid, but also shifting expectations around accountability, affordability, enrollment, and public trust. He noted that while these challenges will require colleges and universities to adapt, institutions that remain mission-focused, responsive, and willing to innovate will be best positioned to serve students in an increasingly complex policy environment.
NACAC Advocacy
Since our last update, NACAC has continued to advocate for policies that expand college access, strengthen affordability, and protect students throughout their postsecondary journeys. We endorsed the Pell Grant Preservation and Expansion Act of 2026, legislation that would significantly strengthen the Pell Grant program by increasing the maximum award, expanding eligibility, restoring additional semesters of aid, and improving long-term funding for one of the nation’s most important sources of need-based financial assistance.
NACAC also joined coalition efforts opposing the Administration’s proposal to transfer the Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services (OSERS) and the Office for Civil Rights (OCR) out of the U.S. Department of Education, emphasizing the importance of maintaining coordinated federal oversight that protects civil rights and supports students with disabilities. In addition, we joined a coalition urging Congress to preserve strong accountability and student protections within the GI Bill program while supporting legislation that would help ensure veterans can fully access the education benefits they have earned.
Together, these efforts reflect NACAC’s continued commitment to advancing policies that expand opportunity, protect students, and strengthen the systems that support postsecondary access and success. As federal and state policymakers continue to consider legislation and regulatory changes affecting students, institutions, and college admission professionals, NACAC will remain actively engaged on behalf of our members — working with coalition partners, educating policymakers, and advocating for policies that help ensure every student has the opportunity to pursue and succeed in postsecondary 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: 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
Summer offers many of us an opportunity to rest, recharge, and reflect before the busy months ahead. Yet even as our routines shift, the work of shaping higher education policy continues. The weeks and months ahead will bring additional federal guidance, court decisions, and legislative activity that will influence how students access, finance, and succeed in postsecondary education. Staying informed is only the first step; meaningful progress depends on professionals who are willing to engage, share their expertise, and ensure that students remain at the center of these conversations.
As Howard Zinn observed, “Small acts, when multiplied by millions of people, can transform the world.” That sentiment reflects the power of collective advocacy and serves as a reminder that meaningful change is rarely driven by a single voice or one defining moment. Instead, it is achieved through sustained engagement, shared expertise, and thousands of individual actions working toward a common purpose.
Whether you are helping a student navigate the college admission process, responding to an action alert, meeting with policymakers, or sharing your perspective with colleagues, your contributions help strengthen our collective voice and shape the future of higher education. Thank you for your continued commitment to expanding postsecondary opportunity and ensuring that every student has the support, guidance, and opportunity to pursue their educational goals. Together, we can continue building a more accessible, affordable, and equitable system of higher education for all.
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.