NACAC Advocacy and Policy Updates for June 23, 2026

By: Sean Robins

Welcome to this issue of the Advocacy Update. As millions of people around the world tune in to the FIFA World Cup this summer, they are witnessing more than just competition on the field. The tournament is a reminder that success is built through preparation, teamwork, adaptability, and a shared commitment to a common goal. Those same principles are reflected in the work of counselors, admission professionals, educators, and advocates who help students navigate their pathways to postsecondary education.

Federal education policy continues to evolve at a rapid pace, with significant developments affecting student aid, civil rights enforcement, disability services, institutional operations, and college access. Since our last update, policymakers at both the federal and state levels have advanced proposals that could reshape how students access postsecondary education and how institutions support their success. Below are several key developments NACAC is monitoring and what they may mean for students, families, counselors, admission professionals, and institutions.

Policy & Legislative Updates

One of the most significant developments has been the administration’s continued effort to transfer responsibilities traditionally housed within the Department of Education to other federal agencies through interagency agreements (IAAs). New IAAs would move many special education and disability-related programs from the Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services (OSERS) to the Department of Health and Human Services while expanding the Department of Justice’s role civil rights enforcement, student privacy, and technical assistance activities. The OSERS agreement encompasses IDEA programs, vocational rehabilitation services, Gallaudet University, the National Technical Institute for the Deaf, and several other disability-related programs.

These changes have generated significant concern among disability advocates, former Office for Civil Rights officials, and lawmakers from both parties. Senate HELP Committee Chair Bill Cassidy (R-La.) recently announced that his committee is expected to consider legislation in July that would block the transfer of special education programs to HHS. Meanwhile, former OCR attorneys have raised concerns that the new DOJ partnership could fundamentally change how education-related civil rights complaints are handled. Unlike OCR, which is required to review every complaint it receives, DOJ has discretion over which cases it investigates and litigates. Critics argue this shift could create additional barriers for students and families seeking resolution of civil rights complaints at a time when OCR has already faced staffing reductions and a growing backlog of cases.

Student affordability and financial aid remain at the center of federal policy discussions. The House Appropriations Committee advanced its FY27 Labor-HHS-Education spending bill on a 34-28 party-line vote. The proposal would reduce Department of Education funding by approximately 10 percent while increasing the maximum Pell Grant award by $50 and providing modest funding increases for TRIO and GEAR UP. At the same time, the bill would eliminate subsidized federal student loans beginning in 2027, reduce Federal Work-Study funding, and eliminate the Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG). The committee also adopted bipartisan language strengthening protections for TRIO programs and clarifying that advanced nursing programs qualify as professional degree programs for purposes of federal student aid. Learn more about the House FY27 appropriations bill here.

The student loan landscape continues to evolve as repayment challenges grow. The Department of Education recently reported that more than 9.1 million borrowers are now in default on their federal student loans, the highest level reported since repayment resumed. Roughly one in five federal borrowers is now more than a year behind on payments. In response, the department announced a temporary expansion of its auto-pay incentive, increasing the interest rate reduction from 0.25 percent to 1 percent for borrowers who enroll in automatic payments. Department officials noted that participation in auto-pay has fallen sharply, from approximately 83 percent of borrowers in 2019 to just 40 percent today.

States are also beginning to respond to concerns about college affordability and access. Minnesota recently became the second state in the nation, following Connecticut, to establish a state-funded loan program for graduate and professional students. At the same time, institutions across the country are increasingly exploring new transfer pathways, adult learner initiatives, and workforce-aligned programs as they respond to demographic shifts and changing enrollment patterns. New research from Lumina Foundation found that millions of adults remain interested in pursuing education and training opportunities but continue to face barriers related to cost, time, and institutional flexibility.

Colleges and universities are also navigating an increasingly complex policy environment. The Kansas Board of Regents recently adopted systemwide definitions governing diversity, equity, and inclusion activities and critical race theory at public institutions, reflecting a broader trend of states taking a more active role in regulating campus policies and programming. At the federal level, legal and policy debates continue around civil rights enforcement, scholarship programs, and institutional compliance obligations.

Immigration and international student issues remain an area of ongoing attention. Institutions continue to monitor changes related to visa processing, work authorization, and broader immigration policies affecting students and families. The Presidents’ Alliance on Higher Education and Immigration recently released a new guide to help institutions better support students from mixed-status families, offering practical recommendations related to student privacy, financial aid, campus communications, and access to support services.

NACAC Advocacy

NACAC continues to advocate for policies that promote student access, success, and equity while elevating the perspectives of admission professionals, counselors, and college access practitioners in national policy discussions.

Since our last update, NACAC joined a coalition letter opposing the Department of Justice’s decision to delay implementation of the ADA Title II digital accessibility regulations for state and local government entities, including public colleges and universities. The coalition emphasized that accessible digital content is a civil rights issue and urged the administration to maintain the current implementation timeline, noting that many institutions have already made significant progress toward compliance. The letter also highlighted the importance of clear accessibility standards in ensuring that students with disabilities can fully access educational programs, services, and digital resources.

NACAC also continues to support institutions as they navigate increased scrutiny of admissions and enrollment practices. Earlier this month, The Chronicle of Higher Education highlighted NACAC’s work to help colleges and universities better communicate the factors that shape admissions and enrollment decisions. As part of that coverage, NACAC discussed its ongoing collaboration with EducationCounsel to develop a framework that will help institutions document and communicate their enrollment narratives. As noted in the article, the goal is to help institutions “explain the wide swath of factors that go into admissions” and to “clearly articulate and defend their why” as policymakers, regulators, and the public place greater attention on admissions and enrollment outcomes.

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.

Periods of significant change can create uncertainty, but they also highlight the importance of the work being done every day by counselors, admission professionals, educators, and advocates across the country. Whether supporting students through the financial aid process, helping families navigate complex policy changes, or expanding access to postsecondary opportunities, your efforts continue to make a meaningful difference in the lives of students and communities.

As Desmond Tutu once observed, “Hope is being able to see that there is light despite all of the darkness.” At a time when many students and families face uncertainty, your commitment, expertise, and advocacy help illuminate pathways to opportunity and success. Thank you for all that you do to support students and advance educational opportunity 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.

House FY27 Spending Bill Proposes Major Changes to Student Aid

The House Labor-HHS-Education spending bill would eliminate subsidized student loans, eliminate FSEOG, reduce Federal Work-Study funding, and reshape support for Minority-Serving Institutions. The proposal also includes modest increases for Pell Grants, TRIO, and GEAR UP as Congress begins debate on FY27 funding priorities. Learn more.

ED Redirects $50 Million in TRIO Funding

The Department of Education has redirected approximately $50 million in TRIO funding toward state-level priorities and administration-defined objectives. The move has raised questions about the future role of longstanding college access programs that support low-income, first-generation, and underserved students.

Students of Color Now Represent the Majority of College Enrollment

New enrollment data show that students of color now make up the majority of enrolled students in U.S. higher education. Additional analyses suggest increasing numbers of students are choosing not to report their race or ethnicity during the admissions process, creating new challenges for understanding enrollment trends in the post-SFFA landscape.

International Enrollment Faces Growing Uncertainty

Institutions continue to report declines in new international student enrollment alongside increasing visa denials and processing challenges. Colleges and universities are expressing concern about the potential impact on enrollment, research capacity, workforce development, and campus diversity.