Bills and Legislation
On this page you will find statements of support for, opposition to, or other commentary on specific proposed and enacted legislation.
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NASFAA Endorses Bipartisan Legislation to Create Fixed 2% Interest Rate on Federal Direct Student Loans
March 9, 2026 - NASFAA is endorsing the Lowering Student Loans Act, new bipartisan legislation that would amend the Higher Education Act (HEA) and set a fixed 2% interest rate for all federal Direct student loans, a change that would be applied retroactively to exis... -
NASFAA Signs Onto Community Letter Opposing Reconciliation Bill
May 21, 2025 - NASFAA, along with over a dozen higher education organizations, signed onto a letter strongly opposing the House’s reconciliation bill, writing that if enacted, the bill would put college out of reach for hundreds of thousands of students. -
NASFAA Endorses the Affordable Loans for Students Act
March 10, 2025 - NASFAA endorsed a bill from Rep. Mike Lawler (R-N.Y.) last week that would, among other things, lower the interest rate on federal student loans to 2%. -
NASFAA Supports the Elizabeth Dole 21st Century Veterans Healthcare and Benefits Improvement Act
November 26, 2024 - NASFAA, along with over a dozen higher education organizations, signed onto a letter in support of the Elizabeth Dole 21st Century Veterans Healthcare and Benefits Improvement Act. However, the letter makes several suggestions to clarify language. -
NASFAA Endorses the Affordable Loans for Students Act - 2024
November 18, 2024 - NASFAA endorsed a bill from Rep. Mike Lawler (R-N.Y.) last week that would, among other things, lower the interest rate on federal student loans to 1%. -
NASFAA Signs Onto Letter in Support of FAFSA Deadline Act
November 12, 2024 - NASFAA, along with other higher education organizations, signed onto a letter to House leadership in support of the FAFSA Deadline Act. If enacted the legislation would make October 1 the official launch date for the FAFSA each year. -
NASFAA Requests Technical Amendments to the FAFSA Simplification and FUTURE Acts
June 12, 2024 - NASFAA on Wednesday submitted a letter to Congressional education and finance committee leadership asking for technical amendments to fix issues NASFAA members have identified in the FAFSA Simplification and FUTURE Acts. -
NASFAA Signs Onto Letter Opposing Bipartisan Workforce Pell Act and DETERRENT Act
June 12, 2024 - NASFAA, along with dozens of other higher education organizations, signed onto a letter urging lawmakers from the House Rules Committee to oppose efforts to add the Bipartisan Workforce Pell Act and the Defending Education Transparency and Ending Rog... -
NASFAA Submits Letter for Congress Urging Delay of GE/FVT Institutional Reporting Requirements
June 10, 2024 - On Monday NASFAA submitted a letter to House and Senate education committee leadership requesting their assistance in securing a delay until July 2025 of the GE/FVT institutional reporting requirements, currently due on October 1. -
NASFAA Signs on to Letter Expressing Opposition to Section 6 of the Bipartisan Workforce Pell Act
February 27, 2024 - NASFAA, along with several higher education organizations, urged House leaders to postpone the consideration of their bipartisan short-term Pell Grant legislation, taking issue with the bill’s offset language. -
NASFAA Shares Feedback on College Cost Reduction Act with House Education and Workforce Committee Leadership
January 26, 2024 - NASFAA shared feedback on provisions of the bill that focuses on college cost transparency, affordability, access, and accountability. -
NASFAA Joins Letter to House Education Committee on the DETERRENT Act
November 6, 2023 - NASFAA, along with several higher education organizations, joined onto a letter sent to the House Committee on Education and the Workforce with comments regarding the DETERRENT Act. -
NASFAA Endorses Helping Students Successfully Overcome Adversity and Rise (SOAR) with Social Security Act
November 1, 2023 - NASFAA recently endorsed a Senate bill from Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), and Alex Padilla (D-Calif.) that would extend social security benefits for students. -
NASFAA Joins Letter Supporting the Streamlining of SNAP Eligibility Requirements
May 25, 2023 - NASFAA, along with other higher education organizations, joined onto a letter sent to leaders of the Senate Committee on Agriculture and the House Committee on Agriculture regarding simplifying SNAP eligibility requirements. -
NASFAA Joins Community Letter Endorsing Tax-Free Pell Act
May 5, 2023 - NASFAA along with nearly two dozen of higher education organizations signed onto a letter endorsing the Tax-Free Pell Grant Act. -
Bipartisan Group of House Members Introduce Tax Free Pell Grant Act
May 1, 2023 - On Friday a bipartisan group of lawmakers from the House Ways and Means Committee reintroduced the Tax Free Pell Grant Act, which would seek to remove logistical barriers that prevent students from accessing tax credits that they may be eligible for ... -
NASFAA Signs Letter Urging Congress to Pass the Student Veteran Emergency Relief Act
December 1, 2022 - NASFAA, along with other higher education organizations, signed a letter urging Congress to pass the Student Veteran Emergency Relief Act. -
NASFAA Signs Letter Urging Congress to Repeal the Tax on Pell Grants
November 29, 2022 - NASFAA signed on to a letter urging Congress to end the taxation of federal Pell Grants in order to make higher education more affordable and simplify the tax code for students and families with low and middle incomes. -
NASFAA Joins Letter Urging Congress to Pass Legislation to Protect Dreamers
November 21, 2022 - NASFAA signed on to a letter sent by the American Council on Education urging congressional leaders to pass legislation to protect Dreamers after recent court decisions declared the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program illegal. -
NASFAA Joins Call for Congress to Support Tax-Free Pell Grant Act
November 1, 2022 - NASFAA, along with several higher education organizations, signed on to a letter by the American Council on Education (ACE) urging leaders of the House Ways and Means Committee and the Senate Finance Committee to include the Tax-Free Pell Grant Act i... -
NASFAA Signs Letter Giving Feeback On Responsible Education Assistance Through Loan (REAL) Reforms Act
September 12, 2022 - NASFAA sent a letter to House Republicans that gives feedback on the Responsible Education Assistance Through Loan (REAL) Reforms Act. -
NASFAA Joins in Letter Calling for Repeal of Pell Grant Taxability
June 27, 2022 - NASFAA joined other higher education organizations in a letter to congressional leadership calling for the repeal of Pell Grant taxability and restoring American Opportunity Tax Credit (AOTC) eligibility for students with prior drug convictions. -
NASFAA Signs On to Letter Calling for 85-15 Rule Fix
June 23, 2022 - NASFAA signed on to a letter supporting the Ensuring the Best Schools for Veterans Act of 2022, legislation to address concerns stemming from recent policy changes to the 85-15 rule by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). -
NASFAA Joins Community Letters to Congressional Leaders Urging Repeal of Taxability of Pell Grant in Reconciliation
September 24, 2021 - NASFAA joined a group of higher education associations in submitting two community letters, one to the chair and ranking member of the Senate Committee on Finance and another to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and the House minority leader, urging th... -
NASFAA Signs Onto Letter Supporting Extending SNAP Eligibility to Pell Recipients
September 21, 2021 - NASFAA joined other higher education organizations in a letter to congressional leadership urging for increased access to SNAP benefits for college students by passing the EATS Act or Student Food Security Act. -
NASFAA Joins ACE in Urging Changes to Veterans Law Affecting Institutions August 1
July 20, 2021 - On Monday, NASFAA signed on to a letter with several other higher education associations to alert Congress to serious concerns about a new veterans benefits law that has implications for institutions of higher education, including the financial aid o... -
New Bills Push for Free College, Doubling of Pell Grant
April 26, 2021 - President Joe Biden’s focus on college affordability and higher education in general early in his term as a means to help the country recover from the impact of the ongoing pandemic has served as an opportunity for Democrats in Congress to cham... -
NASFAA Signs Onto Community Letter to Eliminate Origination Fees
April 19, 2021 - NASFAA joined other higher education organizations in a letter to congressional leadership urging for the elimination of costly origination fees on federal student loans disbursed on or after March 27, 2020. -
NASFAA Joins in Letter of Support for Budget Reconciliation
March 2, 2021 - NASFAA joined other higher education organizations in a letter to Senate leadership, expressing support for the reconciliation package, which would provide nearly $40 billion in coronavirus relief aid for higher education. -
Higher Education Community Sends Letter on Protect the GI Bill Act
December 3, 2020 - NASFAA joined a group of higher ed associations in sending a letter to the Senate & House Committees on Veterans’ Affairs regarding the Protect the GI Bill Act, highlighting several provisions in the bill that could create unintended consequences. -
Community Asks Congress for $120 Billion for Higher Ed COVID Relief
October 19, 2020 - NASFAA signed onto a letter along with a community of other higher education associations in asking for $120 billion in additional funds for education in response to the ongoing pandemic. -
Higher Education Community Asks House for $120 Billion for Higher Ed
September 25, 2020 - NASFAA joined a community of other higher education associations in signing onto an American Council on Education letter asking for $120 billion in additional funds for education. -
NASFAA Urges Senate Leadership to Extend CARES Act Student Loan Relief
August 6, 2020 - NASFAA wrote to Senate leadership Friday calling for protections enacted under the CARES Act for student loan borrowers, including the suspension of payments and interest accrual, to be extended before they expire at the end of September. -
House Fails to Override President Trump’s Veto of Resolution Blocking New Borrower Defense Regulations
June 26, 2020 - The House of Representatives on Friday failed to override President Donald Trump’s veto of a congressional resolution that would have undone Education Secretary Betsy DeVos’ new borrower defense regulations, which many say would make it h... -
Higher Education Community Urges Senate to Provide Additional Financial Support Amid COVID-19 Pandemic
May 29, 2020 - NASFAA joined the higher education community in a letter to Senate leadership, urging lawmakers to provide additional financial support for higher education in the next COVID-19 relief package. -
NASFAA Joins in Letter in Support of Heroes Act
May 19, 2020 - NASFAA joined others in the higher education community in a letter to House leadership, expressing support for the Health and Economic Recovery Omnibus Emergency Solutions (HEROES) Act. -
Higher Education Community Presses Congress for Technical Fixes in CARES Act
May 14, 2020 - NASFAA joined the higher education community in a letter to congressional education committee leadership asking for clarifications and technical corrections to the CARES Act and other statutory language to ensure that Congress’s intent is fully met. -
Higher Education Community Urges Lawmakers to Ensure CARES Act Grants Are Not Taxable
April 21, 2020 - NASFAA joined others in the higher education community in a letter to congressional appropriators, urging them to ensure CARES Act emergency grant aid to students is not considered taxable income. -
Higher Education Community Pushes for Expanded Student Debt Relief During Coronavirus Pandemic
April 20, 2020 - NASFAA joined other higher education organizations in a letter to House leadership, urging lawmakers to expand on relief for student loan borrowers during the coronavirus pandemic. -
NASFAA Joins Letter in Support of the Student Veteran Coronavirus Response Act of 2020
April 14, 2020 - NASFAA joined other higher education organizations in a letter expressing support for the Student Veteran Coronavirus Response Act of 2020, which would provide flexibility to address disruptions to veterans’ education benefits. -
NASFAA Joins Higher Education Community in Ask for Increased Funding in Fourth COVID Relief Package
April 10, 2020 - NASFAA joined the higher education community in asking congressional leadership for additional funding — roughly $47 billion — in the next coronavirus relief package. -
NASFAA Signs on to Community Letter in Support of Bill Securing GI Benefits Amid COVID-19 Outbreak
March 19, 2020 - NASFAA joined the higher education community calling on congressional leadership to pass emergency legislation ensuring student veterans continue to receive the full benefits of the GI Bill as colleges close amid the coronavirus outbreak. -
Associations Ask For House Support of Veterans COVID-19 Bill
March 18, 2020 - A host of associations pleaded for House support of a Senate bill to support student veterans during the COVID-19 outbreak. -
NASFAA Signs Onto Revised ACE Letter on Foreign Gift Reporting
December 19, 2019 - NASFAA signed onto a letter from the American Council on Education (ACE) denouncing the Department of Education's new proposed regulations for foreign fit reporting. -
NASFAA Signs Onto ACE Letter on Foreign Gift Reporting
December 18, 2019 - NASFAA signed onto a letter from ACE regarding foreign gift reporting and opposing ED's request for emergency processing. -
NASFAA Signs on to Community Letter in Support of House FUTURE Act
December 10, 2019 - NASFAA joined more than three dozen other higher education organizations in a letter of support for the House FUTURE Act. -
Higher Education Community Letter of Support for Senate-Amended FUTURE Act
December 5, 2019 - NASFAA joined 10 other higher education organizations in a letter expressing support for the Senate-amended FUTURE Act, which includes language to allow for data sharing between the IRS and Department of Education. -
NASFAA Sends Letter to House Education Committee Ahead of College Affordability Act Markup
October 28, 2019 - In a letter to the House Committee on Education and Labor, NASFAA wrote that it supported certain provisions in the HEA reauthorization bill, the College Affordability Act, as well as outlined areas on concerns. -
NASFAA Cancer Deferment Letter
July 1, 2019 - NASFAA urged congressional leaders to ensure the new cancer treatment deferment benefit, included in the fiscal year 2019 spending package passed in September, is available for all federal student loan borrowers. -
NASFAA Submits HEA Priorities to Senate Education Committee Leaders
February 23, 2018 - In response to a call for feedback on the pending reauthorization of the Higher Education Act (HEA), NASFAA submitted a letter on behalf of financial aid administrators providing recommendations for Congress as the HEA process moves forward. -
Postsec Data Letter to Senate HELP Committee
February 23, 2018 - This letter is submitted on behalf of 50 members and partners of the Postsecondary Data Collaborative (PostsecData), in response to the call for comments and suggestions on topics to include in the reauthorization of the HEA. -
Higher Education Community Urges Delay on House Reauthorization Bill
February 15, 2018 - In a letter to the Speaker of the House and the Minority Leader, several higher education associations, including NASFAA, outlined areas of concern in the PROSPER Act and requested a delay before the bill takes place before the full House. -
NASFAA Sends Letter to House Education Committee Ahead of PROSPER Act Markup
December 8, 2017 - In a letter sent to members of the House Committee on Education and the Workforce, NASFAA said that while it supports several provisions in the reauthorization bill, some "serious concerns and questions" remain regarding others. -
Higher Education Community Dream Act Letter
July 26, 2017 - This letter, led by the American Council on Education and supported by NASFAA, endorses the Dream Act, introduced in the Senate by Sens. Graham (R-SC) and Durbin (D-IL). -
PPY Codification Letter
June 13, 2017 - This coalition letter urges Congress to codify the use of "prior-prior year" (PPY) income information on the FAFSA through legislation. -
Community Letter to House on Teacher Preparation Program Regulation Repeal
February 6, 2017 - This letter, led by the American Council on Education and supported by NASFAA, endorses H.J. Res. 58, which would strike the teacher preparation regulations finalized in October through the Congressional Review Act (CRA). -
Higher Education Community Letter in Support of BRIDGE Act
January 12, 2017 - NASFAA joins letter coordinated by the American Council on Education in support of the BRIDGE Act, which would grant DACA recipients or those eligible for DACA temporary relief from deportation and work permits for three years. -
NASFAA Signs Letter Urging President-Elect Trump to Support DREAM Act
December 19, 2016 - NASFAA joined several other organizations in signing a letter, written by the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities, urging President-elect Donald J. Trump to keep the current DACA program and support the DREAM Act. -
NASFAA Letter in Support of the Simplifying the Application for Student Aid Act 2016
June 21, 2016 - NASFAA Letter in Support of the Simplifying the Application for Student Aid Act 2016 -
Higher Education Community Letter on Five House Higher Education Bills
June 21, 2016 - This letter, signed by NASFAA and coordinated by the American Council on Education, provides feedback on five higher education bills considered by the House Committee on Education & the Workforce. -
Boost Saving for College Act Letter of Support
May 12, 2016 - Letter of support from the higher education community, coordinated by the American Council on Education, for the Boost Saving for College Act, introduced by Sen. Burr (R-NC). The bill looks to expand the use of college savings accounts. -
Perkins Extension Letter December 2015
December 16, 2015 - NASFAA joins a letter coordinated by ACE expressing concern for the Perkins Loan Program extension legislation proposed in the U.S. Senate. -
NASFAA Letter in Support of Higher Education Extension Act of 2015
September 28, 2015 - NASFAA Letter in Support of Higher Education Extension Act of 2015, which would extend the Perkins Loan Program for one year. -
NASFAA Repay Act Letter of Support
January 20, 2015 - NASFAA President and CEO Justin Draeger submits a letter in support of the Repay Act to Senator Richard Burr and Senator Angus King. -
NASFAA Submits Comment on Higher Education Affordability Act
September 2, 2014 - At the request of Senator Tom Harkin (D-IA), chairman of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee, NASFAA submitted comments on the Higher Education Opportunity Act (HEAA). -
NASFAA HEAA Comments
August 28, 2014 - NASFAA CEO Justin Draeger submits comments to the Honorable Tom Harkin, Chairman, Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions, regarding the Higher Education Affordability Act (HEAA) of 2014. -
Higher Education Tax Benefit Testimony Submitted to Senate Finance Committee
August 10, 2012 - In written testimony submitted to the Senate Committee on Finance, NASFAA joined 11 other higher education organizations to express strong support for extending the American Opportunity Tax Credit, the above-the-line deduction for qualified tuitio... -
NASFAA Signs ACE Letter to Congressional Finance Committees on Extending Education Tax Benefits
August 2, 2012 - The Senate Finance Committee has reached a tax credit deal that would expand the above-the-line deduction for qualified tuition-related expenses (tuition deduction). NASFAA has joined the American Council on Education (ACE) in expressing strong su... -
NASFAA Letter to House on Digital Accountability and Transparency Act
May 16, 2012 - NASFAA, joined by the Coalition of Higher Education Assistance Organizations (COHEAO) and other higher education organizations, urges members of the House of Representatives to alter language in the “Digital Accountability and Transparency Act” (H... -
Template Letter to Senate on 21st Century Postal Service Act of 2012
May 16, 2012 - NASFAA asks you to join us in urging members of the Senate to alter language in the “21st Century Postal Service Act of 2012” (S. 1789). The legislation would greatly impede the Department of Education (ED) from offering vital and mandated trainin... -
Template Letter to House on Digital Accountability and Transparency Act of 2012
May 16, 2012 - NASFAA asks you to join us in urging members of the House to alter language in the "Digital Accountability and Transparency Act" (H.R. 2146). The legislation would greatly impede the Department of Education (ED) from offering vital and mandated tr... -
NASFAA Signs Testimony to Support Extending Higher Education Tax Benefits
May 10, 2012 - NASFAA joined the higher education community in signing written testimony to Congress to express support for extending higher education tax benefits, including the American Opportunity Tax Credit, set to expire at the end of the year. -
NASFAA Endorses Legislation to Expand Student Loan Interest Deduction
May 10, 2012 - NASFAA joined five other higher education groups to endorse legislation by Rep. Charles Rangel (D-NY) that would expand the Student Loan Interest Deduction (SLID). -
NASFAA Signs Letter to Support Legislation on Interest Rate
May 7, 2012 - NASFAA joins 40 higher education associations in signing a letter drafted by the American Council on Education to express support for enacting legislation to keep the interest rate on subsidized Stafford loans from doubling -- from 3.4 percent to ... -
NASFAA Joins Higher Ed Associations in Letter to House on Interest Rate Legislation
April 26, 2012 - NASFAA joins several other higher education associations in signing a letter drafted by the American Council on Education to the House of Representatives to express support for enacting legislation to keep the interest rate on subsidized Stafford ... -
NASFAA Urges Congress to Allow Private Student Loans to Be Discharged in Bankruptcy
March 20, 2012 - NASFAA President Justin Draeger submitted this statement in support of legislation that would allow private student loans to be discharged in bankruptcy. -
Higher Ed Groups Urge House to Repeal State Authorization, Definition of Credit Hour
February 27, 2012 - NASFAA joined 22 higher education groups urging lawmakers in the U.S. House of Representatives to vote for legislation that would repeal the credit hour definition and state authorization regulations that took effect July 1, 2011. -
Bankruptcy Coalition Letter to Sen. Dick Durbin
May 26, 2011 - The Honorable Dick Durbin United States Senate 711 Hart Senate Building Washington, DC 20510 Dear Senator Durbin: On behalf of the undersigned organizations, we are writing to express our strong support for the Fairness for Struggling... -
NASFAA Supports Private Student Loan Bankruptcy Fairness Act of 2011
May 26, 2011 - Coalition letter to the Honorable Steve Cohen in support of the Private Student Loan Bankruptcy Fairness Act of 2011. -
Coalition Advocates Passage of Post-9/11 Veterans Educational Assistance Improvements Act
December 15, 2010 - We support this amendment to the original Post-9/11 GI Bill that makes the program more relevant to the needs of today's veterans. The Senate version contains two provisions that NASFAA opposes. -
Support for the Davis Amendment to Restore Bankruptcy Rights
February 7, 2008 - Urging restoration of fairness to student loan borrowers who need the protection afforded by bankruptcy law, treating student loans the same as other consumer debts. This amendment to H.R. 4137, College Opportunity and Affordability...
