By Rachel Williams, NACAC Communications

Arlington, VA (July 7, 2025) – Results from a recent NACAC survey show that a heightened sense of uncertainty is impacting the college admission counseling profession the most during this time of rapid change by the federal government.  

In the survey, members shared feelings of uncertainty and concern related to international students, students of mixed-status or undocumented status, federal funding cuts, and anti-DEI policies and sentiments. 

"The most difficult part of dealing with these federal changes is that we just don't have answers. When international students call in asking if they'll still be able to get a visa for the fall, there really isn't anything we can say to lessen their anxiety. At my institution, we're trying our best to carry on business as usual, but that really takes a toll on us because we cannot support students the way we ideally would due to the constant shifting nature of what's going on federally," said an anonymous survey respondent. 

The survey was made available to NACAC members on April 22. It was designed to better understand how recent federal actions related to education have been impacting members and their work with students.  

"Thanks to NACAC members sharing their stories, we've brought experiences from the field directly to policymakers on Capitol Hill," said Sean Robins, director of advocacy at NACAC.  

Other survey respondents shared specific situations that have been challenging to navigate with their students. For instance, one respondent shared concerns about a student from Vietnam who went back to their home country for the summer and may not be able to return. Other respondents shared concerns from students whose parents are undocumented and therefore, they are afraid to file a FAFSA for fear of them being deported. Others reported that students are sacrificing their dream school to prioritize their safety. 

For instance, an anonymous respondent said they worked with a student who was accepted to their dream university on the East Coast and a university closer to home in Southern California. The student ultimately chose to stay in California because of the fraught political climate.  

"His parents were especially concerned because they are undocumented immigrants," said the anonymous respondent. "They are worried that if their son was in trouble [while far from home], they could not help him." 

These stories of impact and many others helped inform NACAC and affiliate representatives when they went to Capitol Hill on May 5 for National Advocacy Day. NACAC also elevates these stories in other advocacy efforts.  

To continue collecting stories of impact, NACAC has a new survey that is open indefinitely to members. The survey is available on NACAC's Take Action webpage along with summaries of the association's advocacy efforts and ways members can get involved. 

"We will continue to elevate member stories in our advocacy," said Robins. "Lawmakers need to understand the real-world impact of these federal actions, and why they matter."