Introduction by Barbara K. Mistick

Dear Colleagues,

President Trump’s proposed FY 2027 budget, which he submitted to Congress last week, remains a hot topic in Washington. His budget provides more than $10 billion to fund the Pell Grant program in order to maintain the current maximum grant of $7,395.

We greatly appreciate that the administration prioritized the need to fund the Pell Grant program – avoiding cuts to the maximum award or restrictions on student eligibility –given the program’s budgetary shortfall. However, the president’s budget pays for the Pell funding increase by deeply cutting funds for all other student aid and higher education programs. (See story for more details.)

NAICU will continue to encourage Congress to provide the funding needed to support the bipartisan expansions made to the federal student aid programs over the last few years. In our advocacy going forward, we will ask Congress to provide additional resources to fund the Pell Grant program while maintaining support for the other student aid programs. Together, these programs help ensure low-income students have access to the college or university of their choice.

NAICU will share additional details on the president’s budget and our advocacy recommendations next week during our members-only webinar, Breaking Down President Trump’s FY 2027 Budget, Addressing the Pell Shortfall. NAICU’s team will provide an in-depth look at the budget request and what comes next in the FY 2027 appropriations process. The webinar will be held on April 13, from 2:00–3:00 p.m. EDT—[register]. 

I am looking forward to NAICU’s Spring Board and Committee meetings next week.  Our national leadership will be convening in Seattle to discuss the issues facing private higher education and chart the our response, strategies, and messaging.

I hope you have a pleasant weekend.

Regards,

Barbara

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