Introduction by Barbara K. Mistick

Dear Colleagues,

I am writing to you this week from Philadelphia where NAICU is holding its Spring Board and Policy Committee meetings. It is so rewarding and energizing to be with our members and to hear and participate in so many conversations about the issues affecting private, nonprofit higher education. These meetings with our leadership committees and Board of Directors help set the direction for our policy and advocacy efforts. 

In Washington, the House succeeded in passing an identical budget resolution to the one passed last week by the Senate. With the chambers aligned, the budget reconciliation process can proceed to its next step, which is tasking the education committees on the size and scope of spending cuts to federal education programs and tasking the tax committees with finding the means to pay for federal tax cut extensions. Those committees will join the other congressional committees in then writing legislation to meet those targets. As soon as we know what these proposals mean for higher education, we will ask for your engagement with your Representatives and Senators. Congress has an ambitious goal of completing this process by Memorial Day.

A key topic of conversation has been funding for the federal student aid programs. Though the federal student aid programs are secured through FY2025, the FY2026 federal budget cycle is already underway. I encourage you to reach out to your Representative and ask them to request funding for Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants and Federal Work-Study in their FY2026 priorities by April 21. The Action Alert I sent on Monday, which includes a sample letter, can be used to engage with your representative.

I have heard from many of you about international students having their student visas revoked. We are aware of the situation and are working with the higher education community to connect with State and DHS to find out more about their approach.

Soundbites 

• Education Community Seeks Briefing on Student Visas/SEVIS. NAICU signed on to a community letter to the U.S. Departments of State and Homeland Security asking for a briefing on the administration’s plans regarding the revocation of student visas, requests to self-deport, and the elimination of student records in the Student Exchange Visitor Information System. These actions were being taken against students without additional information being shared with the institutions they attend. The meeting would be an opportunity to understand the administration’s actions and overall approach to student visa issues, including the recent Executive Order requiring enhanced social media vetting for all F, M, and J visa applicants. 

• ED Makes Changes to IDR Application. The Department of Education has made several changes to the income-driven repayment (IDR) plan application, including the removal of the Saving on a Valuable Education (SAVE) plan as an enrollment option for borrowers. These changes come in response to an ongoing court case that had previously enjoined the entire SAVE plan. 

In observance of Good Friday, Washington Update will not be published next week. Though Congress is in recess next week, we will be actively monitoring events in Washington and will alert you of any breaking news in a separate communication. Washington Update will return on Friday, April 25.

I hope you have a pleasant weekend. 

Regards

Barbara

Barbara K. Mistick D.B.A.
President, NAICU