College Access and Affordability 

Statement of Policy

Improving equity in college access will require a great deal of effort outside of the college admission counseling profession. State and federal governments must attend to funding inequities in K-12 education, including inequitable access to college preparatory curriculum, college affordability, such as state appropriations for postsecondary education and need-based financial aid, and attention to social and legal barriers that prevent students from participating in postsecondary education. NACAC will lend support to initiatives that support greater equity in these important areas. 

NACAC in Action

NACAC, Title IV-A Coalition Advocate for State Educational Support Grants
NACAC, as part of the Title IV-A Coalition, issued a letter to Congress urging legislators to fund Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) Title IV-A state block grants at $2 billion for FY 2023. Title IV-A provides federal block grants to states that can be used to fund college and career counseling programs, college preparatory coursework, school counselors, and other student supports. Write your member of Congress to encourage them to support our funding request. For more information, visit our Coalition web site.

NACAC and other organizations push for highest possible allocation for the FY 2023 Labor-HHS-Education bill (May 2022)
The Committee for Education Funding (CEF), NACAC, and more than 350 organizations support the increase of funds allocated for the Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services (HHS), and Education appropriations bill in the FY 23 budget and recommend a minimum allocation of $239.59 billion to address gaps resulting in years of underfunding. This allocation will provide support for the children’s health and well-being, child development, education, and skills attainment.  

NACAC urges Congress to invest $2 billion in ESSA
NACAC and 100 other organizations urge Congress to invest in $2 billion in FY23 in the Student Support and Academic Enrichment (SSAE) grant program under Title-IV Part A of the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA). This block grant will support a safe and healthy school environment as well as receiving a well-rounded education.  

NACAC urges Congress to double the Pell grant program (February 2022)
NACAC and many organizations urge Congress to work on spending agreements for the Fiscal Year 2022 to double and protect the Pell grant program. With less than one-third of the cost of tuition covered by the current Pell grant, low-income students are increasingly borrowing educational loans.  

NACAC urges the administration to offer flexibility and support to Ukrainian students and scholars (February 2022)
NACAC joins ACE and other organizations in support of Ukrainian students, in Ukraine and the United States, during this time of crisis and uncertainty. NACAC urges urging the departments of State and Homeland Security to flexibility and support for Ukrainian students and scholars in the United States, as well as those seeking to leave Ukraine as Russia continues its attack on the country.