NACAC Advocacy and Policy Updates for March 19, 2025

NACAC is actively monitoring executive orders that pertain to education, diversity, equity, and inclusion, and their potential impacts on the field of college admission counseling. NACAC also is advocating on behalf of its 28,000 members for its policy priorities.

Review previous advocacy and policy updates.

Jump ahead to:

Show support for international education and exchange programs (March 17, 2025)

Sign a petition initiated by NAFSA: Association of International Educators to urge Congress to fund and preserve vital international education and exchange programs, including EducationUSA. Actions taken by the Trump administration have drastically curtailed EducationUSA’s ability to function, weakening the United States’ position as a leader in global education.   

Government shutdown averted with serious consequences for education (March 17, 2025)

President Trump signed a full-year funding bill that keeps the government at fiscal-year 2024 levels, but with serious consequences for education. The bill cuts $290 million from the Department of Education and gives the administration broad discretion to withhold or eliminate funding for key programs such as the Institute of Museum and Library Services, teacher preparation programs, and the Institute of Education Sciences, which have already faced significant funding cuts. Further at risk are Federal Work-Study, Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants, and K-12 programs like Title I and special education. Without clear program-level funding requirements, students, teachers, and researchers may not receive critical federal support. Contact your representatives to tell them, “Do not abandon our national commitment to education.”

Acting under secretary provides little insight into Education Department workforce cuts (March 14, 2025)

In a March 14 letter, Acting Under Secretary James Bergeron assured education stakeholders that workforce cuts at the Department of Education have not impacted Federal Student Aid, the core functions of FAFSA and student-loan servicing, the Office of Postsecondary Education, or the Office of Higher Education Programs. However, early reports suggest that the reductions in force (RIF) were applied unevenly across offices, with some being completely eliminated and others retaining only their office head. The Education Department has not yet published an official accounting of the RIFs, though its statement acknowledged: “All divisions within the Department are impacted by the reduction, with some divisions requiring significant reorganization to better serve students, parents, educators, and taxpayers.” A major concern is that the department may lack the capacity to deliver its required services (e.g., funding, oversight, guidance) to the same quality and timeliness as before.

NACAC supports the American Dream and Promise Act of 2025 (March 14, 2025)

The American Dream and Promise Act of 2025 aims to provide a pathway to permanent residency — and thereby increasing their access to higher education — for individuals who have been long-term residents of the United States, many of whom are students of color or are from underrepresented backgrounds. NACAC recognizes the challenges faced by undocumented students, including limited access to resources, college guidance, and financial aid. NACAC wrote a letter of support to Representative Sylvia Garcia and Representative Pramila Jayapal, co-sponsors of the American Dream and Promise Act. Read the letter.

NACAC endorses PROTECT Students Act of 2025 (March 14, 2025)

NACAC endorses the Preventing Risky Operations from Threatening the Education and Career Trajectories (PROTECT) Students Act of 2025, sponsored by Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL). This legislation aims to curb predatory practices in the for-profit college industry and safeguard both students and taxpayers. For-profit colleges have a long history of misleading students about costs, credit transfers, and job prospects, disproportionately impacting veterans, low-income students, and students of color. Despite poor student outcomes, these institutions continue to receive billions in federal aid each year. The PROTECT Students Act promotes fairness and equity in college access, aligning with NACAC’s mission to uphold integrity and student protection in postsecondary education. Read more.

NACAC joins 28 organizations in submitting input on the federal Artificial Intelligence (AI) Action Plan 

NACAC provided comments on the development of a federal AI Action Plan. The letter underscores AI’s potential to enhance student support, streamline institutional processes, and improve workforce readiness in higher education. It also highlights both the benefits and risks of AI, including concerns about data privacy and academic integrity. The letter urges the administration to support AI adoption by preserving FERPA protections, funding pilot programs, promoting best practices, and addressing disparities in AI access. While AI cannot replace college admission counselors, it can help target information and facilitate processes, allowing professionals to focus on personalized student support. 

20 state attorneys general sue Trump administration for Education Department dismantling (March 13, 2025)

A coalition of 20 state attorneys general filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration to stop the targeted dismantling of the Education Department, a critical federal agency that supports 49.6 million students. The coalition argues that the administration’s actions are illegal and unconstitutional, and that the executive branch does not have the legal authority to unilaterally incapacitate or dismantle the department without an act of Congress. Joining the lawsuit are the attorneys general of Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island, Washington, Wisconsin, Vermont, and the District of Columbia.

Half of Office of Civil Rights eliminated at Department of Education (March 13, 2025)

Seven regional offices within the Education Department’s Office of Civil Rights have closed. NACAC strongly opposes these closures, as more than 6,000 open investigations are now at risk of delays, disruptions, or even dismissals, threatening students’ rights and equitable access to education. Instead of reducing staff, NACAC believes the Education Department should be expanding its support for the 49.6 million students that rely on U.S. public schools. Contact your representatives to tell them not to abandon our national commitment to education.

NACAC sends letter to Congress on efforts to dismantle Department of Education (March 12, 2025)

NACAC issued a letter to Congress and the administration expressing its strenuous opposition to initiatives that would dismantle or eliminate the Department of Education. After the announcement of workforce layoffs, it has become clear that the administration plans to eliminate the department. NACAC’s vision for the future is that access to postsecondary education will be available to all who seek it. Our challenge is to ensure that policymakers engage in strengthening federal support for education, not weakening it. Read the letter.

Department of Education lays off nearly half of staff (March 12, 2025)

Nearly 50 percent of the Education Department’s more than 4,100 employees have been affected by layoffs. As the smallest federal agency and the only one solely dedicated to students and children, this move is expected to have significant consequences. It remains unclear which departments or positions were affected. Secretary Linda McMahon said, “Today’s reduction in force reflects the Department of Education’s commitment to efficiency, accountability, and ensuring that resources are directed where they matter most: to students, parents, and teachers.” NACAC strongly opposes these layoffs, as it threatens support for students on their education journeys. Public opinion reflects this concern, as a recent poll shows that a significant majority of registered voters support maintaining or expanding funding for the Department of Education. Contact your representatives to tell them not to abandon our national commitment to education.

60 universities under investigation for discrimination (March 11, 2025)

The Education Department’s Office of Civil Rights sent letters to 60 institutions of higher education warning them of potential enforcement actions if they do not fulfill their obligations under Title VI of the Civil Rights Act to protect Jewish students on campus. All 60 institutions are now under investigation for Title VI violations relating to antisemitic harassment and discrimination. This follows the announced cancellation of $400 million in federal grants and contracts to Columbia University. Read the full Department of Education press release.

NACAC joins 87 organizations in urging Congress to protect and secure postsecondary data, research, and student privacy (March 11, 2025)

NACAC has joined a coalition of organizations in urging Congress to restore funding for the National Postsecondary Student Aid Study and the Beginning Postsecondary Students survey, and to address federal actions that undermine critical education data systems. The coalition’s sign-on letter raises concerns over cuts to the Institute of Education Sciences that threaten essential research, data collection, and policy evaluation efforts. These federally mandated studies provide crucial insights into college affordability, student persistence, and post-college outcomes — informing policies that promote equitable access to higher education. The letter calls on Congress to demand transparency regarding contract cancellations, ensure adherence to privacy and security standards, and protect the integrity of education data. NACAC’s support reinforces its commitment to evidence-based policymaking, safeguarding student privacy, and ensuring that students, families, and policymakers have the critical information they need to navigate and improve the postsecondary landscape. Read the letter.

Executive order targets Public Service Loan Forgiveness program (March 7, 2025)

An executive order directs the Education Department to exclude certain federal student loan borrowers from the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program. “Individuals employed by organizations whose activities have a substantial illegal purpose,” will no longer be eligible for the program. PSLF was signed into law by President George W. Bush in 2007 and provides a pathway to loan forgiveness for individuals that work in areas of public service, including all 501(c)3s. The concern is that this executive order can be seen to limit borrowers’ free speech while using debt as a scare tactic for speaking out against the administration’s agenda.