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Advocacy Issues

Legislation and policies under consideration in the nation's capital that impact higher education institutions and college students.

Overview

NACUBO's federal affairs team follows legislation and policies under consideration in the nation's capital that impact higher education institutions and college students and are of particular concern to business officers. In addition to representing its members on Capitol Hill, NACUBO's policy team also advocates on behalf of colleges and universities with the White House and federal agencies, particularly when new regulations, or revisions to existing regulations, are under consideration.

2021 NACUBO Perceptions and Priorities

NACUBO has penned a series of Medium posts sharing our observations on the current higher education landscape and priorities for the year ahead. Our goal is to both drive and improve the national conversation around higher education, supporting our observations with research on the current state of affairs for students and institutions. You can find all of these posts, and accompanying slide decks and infographics here.

Advocacy Issue Areas

College and university business officers should pay particular attention to these regulatory and legislative issue areas.

Current Legislative Concerns

NACUBO has compiled a host of valuable resources related to a variety of current legislative concerns.

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DACA

Coverage and other related resources pertaining to Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA).

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Infrastructure and Tax-Exempt Bonds

A one-pager of NACUBO's tax-exempt bond priorities for the infrastructure packages currently being developed in Congress.

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COVID-19

 NACUBO's Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF) Resource Center contains resources to help your institution understand your HEERF grants and comply with related Department of Education requirements. 

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Tax Concerns

A list of shared higher education community tax concerns; many of which were discussed by NACUBO President and CEO, Susan Whealler Johnston, in her recent testimony before the House Ways and Means Oversight Subcommittee. 

Higher Education Act (HEA) Reauthorization

Several proposals in the House HEA bill, the College Affordability Act (CAA), would impact students, federal financial aid, and business functions. In Fall 2019, NACUBO prepared short summaries of the proposals designed for its members to share and discuss with campus colleagues.

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Accountability and Risk Measures

An executive summary of proposals relating to new institutional accountability efforts and risk-mitigation measures in the CAA.

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Adjusted Cohort Default Rate

An executive summary of a CAA proposal to create an adjusted cohort default rate for institutions based on new metrics, and featuring mandatory default rate measurements over longer time periods.

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Campus-Based Aid Programs

An executive summary of proposals within the CAA to implement changes to existing campus-based aid programs, and create several new ones.

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HEA Reauthorization

An executive summary of HEA reauthorization proposals from 2019, detailing efforts in the House and Senate to reauthorize the HEA.

Department of Education Regulations

Compliance with federal rules and regulations impacts administrative offices across college and university campuses. NACUBO is highlighting five federal Department of Education compliance areas college and university business officers should pay particular attention to. Compliance with these rules and regulations is required for eligibility for and participation in Title IV federal student aid programs and requires collaboration with officials across the institution. Learn more about the topics below on NACUBO's Department of Education Regulations page.

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Financial Responsibility Standards

A resource page including timelines and reports that explain borrower defense as well as composite score calculations for non-profit schools and the three financial ratios that comprise them.

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Comprehensive Rulemaking

A list of shared higher education community concerns for the Department of Education's 2021-2022 rulemaking efforts, and NACUBO's own comments specifically on financial responsibility regulations. 

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Student Financial Services (SFS)

A resource page that provides information on the finance-related services schools provide to students and families.

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Title IX and Campus Safety & Security

A resource page that provides information on Title IX and compliance with the Clery Act.

IRS and Treasury Regulations

NACUBO's federal affairs team advocates and delivers on a number of tax issues. To find out more, visit NACUBO's tax page.

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2017 Tax Cut and Jobs Act (TCJA)

Summaries, outlines, and other resources related to tax reform and the TCJA.

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IRS Form 1098-T

A resource page for information on the IRS 1098-T, including webcasts and reports on recent changes to the form.

Veterans and Service Members

The Department of Defense (DoD) and the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) offer tuition assistance programs to active military members, veterans, and their families. NACUBO has monitored and worked on changes to military student assistance programs that affect college and university business offices. To learn more, visit the veterans and service members website.

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DoD Tuition Assistance

Through the DoD Tuition Assistance (DoD TA) program, the Department of Defense (DoD) offers financial aid to active duty service members and their families participating in voluntary education (VolEd) programs. To learn more, visit NACUBO's DoD Tuition Assistance page.

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GI Bill

The Post-9/11 Veterans Educational Assistance Act of 2008 modified the educational benefits available to active duty military members and their families under the previous version of the GI Bill. To learn more, visit NACUBO's GI Bill page.

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Principles of Excellence

In 2012, President Obama issued an Executive Order directing that his administration design a set of principles to protect veterans and service members who receive federal education benefits. To learn more, visit NACUBO's Principles of Excellence page.

Contact

Liz Clark

Vice President, Policy and Research
202.861.2553

Mary Bachinger

Director, Tax Policy

202.861.2581

Bryan Dickson

Assistant Director, Advocacy and Student Financial Services

202.861.2505

Neil Gavigan

Policy and Advocacy Manager

202.861.2551

News

Higher Education Community Weighs In on Proposed Title IX Overhaul

February 04, 2019

The Department of Education’s recent proposal to revamp investigations of campus sexual assault is one of the most controversial that has been put forth by the Trump administration to date. NACUBO joined 60 other higher education associations to support comments submitted to the department by the American Council on Education that highlighted the proposed rule’s positive aspects and areas of concern.


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