Contact: Allie Arcese
Director of Communications
(202) 785-6954
[email protected]

WASHINGTON, D.C., JULY 28, 2023 — House Republicans last week advanced a spending plan for fiscal year 2024 that would cut education spending at levels well below what is required under the recent debt ceiling law.

The bill, which is awaiting consideration by the full House Appropriations Committee, contains an overall request of $67.4 billion to the Department of Education (ED), a reduction of $12.1 billion from the fiscal year 2023 enacted level and $22.6 billion less than the president’s budget request. The measure would flat-fund the Pell Grant program and eliminate two campus-based aid programs — the Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG) program and Federal Work-Study (FWS). The GOP proposal also decreases funding for student aid administration to $1.8 billion, representing a 13% cut.

NASFAA President and CEO Justin Draeger issued the following statement:

"Cutting funds from students and families — particularly those who are already in financial need — in the name of 'fiscal responsibility' is penny-wise but pound-foolish. Now is the time to invest in America’s postsecondary students to strengthen our competitiveness on the global stage — not put up barriers for talented students. We cannot support cuts to student aid programs that support our neediest students and NASFAA stands opposed to the proposed elimination of the Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG) program, which helps students from the lowest income backgrounds, and the Federal Work-Study program, which allows students to contribute to financing their education.

We appreciate that even in times of fiscal austerity, there continues to be bipartisan commitment to the Pell Grant program, and look forward to working with lawmakers in the years ahead to restore the program’s purchasing power by doubling the maximum award. However, level funding for the Pell Grant combined with cuts to complimentary programs would — in the aggregate — leave students further behind.

NASFAA encourages financial aid professionals to contact their representatives immediately to share how these cuts will impact their students."

NASFAA policy experts are available to speak to members of the media about the impact of proposed budget cuts. To set up an interview, please email NASFAA Director of Communications Allie Arcese or call (202) 785-6954.

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About NASFAA 

The National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators (NASFAA) is a nonprofit membership organization that represents more than 29,000 financial aid professionals at approximately 3,000 colleges, universities, and career schools across the country. NASFAA member institutions serve nine out of every 10 undergraduates in the U.S. Based in Washington, D.C., NASFAA is the only national association with a primary focus on student aid legislation, regulatory analysis, and training for financial aid administrators.