September 24, 2026
NACAC has endorsed the BASIC Act, introduced by Sen. Alex Padilla (D-CA) and Rep. Norma Torres (D-CA-35), which would provide $1 billion in competitive grants to help colleges and universities address students’ basic needs, including food, housing, health care, childcare, technology, and transportation. The legislation would support institutions in developing and implementing strategies to address basic needs insecurity, while also helping eligible students connect with existing federal assistance programs. The bill prioritizes support for institutions serving significant numbers of Pell Grant recipients and includes dedicated funding for community colleges, HBCUs, Tribal Colleges and Universities, and other minority-serving institutions.
For NACAC members, the BASIC Act recognizes that expanding access to higher education must also include supporting students once they arrive on campus. Basic needs insecurity can create significant barriers to a student’s ability to enroll, persist, and ultimately complete their education. By strengthening institutional capacity to address these challenges, the legislation supports the work of school counselors and admission professionals who help students navigate pathways to and through higher education.