Supporting Students Through Federal Investment
By: Sean Robins
May 18, 2026 — On May 14, I joined partners from the Title IV-A Coalition on Capitol Hill for a series of meetings with Senate offices and appropriations staff as Congress begins developing the FY27 appropriations process. Throughout the day, our conversations focused on the importance of maintaining strong federal investments in education programs that support students holistically, particularly through Title IV-A under the Student Support and Academic Enrichment (SSAE) Grant program.
Title IV-A provides flexible federal funding to school districts to support three primary areas: well-rounded educational opportunities, safe and healthy students, and the effective use of technology. Districts often leverage these funds to expand college and career counseling, strengthen school-based mental health supports, improve school climate, and increase access to student support services.
Representing the National Association for College Admission Counseling (NACAC), I emphasized the important role Title IV-A plays in supporting school counselors, college and career readiness initiatives, mental health services, and equitable student support systems. As schools continue navigating staffing shortages, increased student needs, and growing uncertainty around postsecondary access and affordability, Title IV-A remains one of the few flexible federal funding streams districts can use to respond to local needs.
Across our conversations, there was broad recognition that FY27 will be an extremely difficult budget cycle. Congressional staff noted that the administration’s request for an additional $1.5 trillion in defense spending is placing significant pressure on domestic discretionary funding conversations, including education programs.
Despite these challenges, one of the clearest themes from our meetings was that bipartisan cooperation will be necessary to move a Labor-HHS-Education appropriations bill forward. Staff repeatedly acknowledged that neither party wants to see the appropriations process deteriorate into the type of stalemate and uncertainty that has impacted other areas of the federal government. Republican and Democratic offices alike emphasized the importance of producing a bipartisan package, with several staffers noting that maintaining level funding for education programs may ultimately represent a significant win in the current fiscal environment.
There were several encouraging takeaways from the day’s conversations. We heard that the timeline for developing the FY27 Labor-HHS-Education appropriations bill is currently ahead of where Congress was at this point last year, with draft legislative text anticipated around the end of July. We also heard that there is currently interest in avoiding cuts to Department of Education programs and instead pursuing level funding where possible.
Coalition members also raised concerns about proposals to consolidate multiple federal education programs into broader “MEGA” grants. Multiple conversations reinforced the view that formula grant programs administered through the Department of Education continue to have strong support within the Senate appropriations process because they provide stability and flexibility for states and districts.
Throughout the meetings, coalition partners highlighted the bipartisan history of support for Title IV-A since its creation. Congressional offices were receptive to hearing how districts use Title IV-A funds differently depending on local needs, including expanding access to counseling services, strengthening school-based mental health supports, and creating safer and more supportive learning environments for students.
On behalf of NACAC, I emphasized that Title IV-A investments directly support the work of school counselors and college advising professionals who help students navigate increasingly complex postsecondary pathways. These professionals are often balancing overwhelming student caseloads while simultaneously addressing academic advising, college planning, career exploration, financial aid guidance, and student well-being. Flexible federal funding streams like Title IV-A help schools build the capacity necessary to support students more effectively and equitably.
Coalition members also shared national survey data and district leader testimonials with congressional offices to demonstrate the real-world impact of Title IV-A funding and the value districts place on the program’s flexibility.
Another major issue looming over FY27 appropriations discussions is the growing Pell Grant funding shortfall. Staff acknowledged that Congress is already beginning this process with significant fiscal pressures, including the roughly $17 billion Pell Grant shortfall. At the same time, there was reassurance that FY26 funding allocations should continue to be distributed as Congress intended under the enacted appropriations bill language.
Overall, the meetings reinforced both the challenges and opportunities ahead as Congress begins shaping FY27 funding decisions. The budget environment remains difficult, and competition for federal funding will be intense. However, there continues to be bipartisan recognition of the importance of education investments, particularly flexible programs like Title IV-A that directly support students, counselors, and schools.
For NACAC, these conversations were another important opportunity to elevate the critical role school counselors and college advising professionals play in helping students access and succeed in postsecondary education. As the appropriations process continues throughout the summer, NACAC will remain engaged alongside coalition partners to advocate for strong federal investments that expand opportunity, strengthen student support systems, and help ensure all students can pursue their postsecondary goals.
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.