NASFAA Joins Call for Trump Administration to Reforge Its Partnership With the Higher Education Community
By Maria Carrasco, NASFAA Staff Reporter
NASFAA, along with dozens of higher education organizations representing institutions across the country, called on the Trump administration to work together and reforge the relationship with the higher education community.
The statement, led by the American Council on Education (ACE), highlighted the historic partnership between the federal government and higher education and explained how this coordination has opened access to students and created innovation, which all Americans – whether they went to college or not – have benefited from. The organizations urged the Trump administration to work with the higher education community to continue advancing our shared national interests.
“The entire country benefits when policymakers and higher education leaders respect a common understanding of the vital role colleges and universities play in advancing the social, cultural, and economic well-being of the United States,” the statement reads. “This balance is dangerously disrupted when billions of dollars in funding for education and competitively awarded research grants are held hostage for political reasons and without due process.”
The letter comes after recent actions the administration has taken that directly impact the functions of the Department of Education (ED). That includes the reduction in force (RIF) at ED, slashing higher education research funding, attacks on institutions and diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), a ‘skinny’ budget proposal that eliminates the Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG) program and drastically cuts the Federal Work-Study (FWS) program, and more.
Furthermore, the organizations wrote that institutions should not be attacked for building communities that reflect their missions, and students should not fear deportation just for exercising their right to speak freely.
“Higher education can and must improve to earn and maintain the public’s trust,” the statement reads. “But political attacks against higher education only divide and weaken us all. We call on the administration to join with colleges and universities to move forward by renewing and expanding the partnership that is essential for building a stronger America.”
Publication Date: 5/15/2025
Armand R | 5/16/2025 6:8:39 PM
“The entire country benefits when policymakers and higher education leaders respect a common understanding of the vital role colleges and universities play in advancing the social, cultural, and economic well-being of the United States,”
Colleges and universities have not been advancing the social, cultural, and economic well-being of the United States. In fact, they have been undermining the social and cultural well being of our country.
Over half of the country's voters voted for President Trump and his agenda. He is working in the best interest of the nation as a whole, not just that of a special select group and sectors of society. It's time for the Department of Education and other government departments to tighten their belts, just as average Americans have had to do for the past four years. And, it's time for colleges and universities to start teaching once again, instead of indoctrinating.
Lee Ann T | 5/16/2025 8:48:08 AM
https://www.whitehouse.gov/fact-sheets/2025/03/fact-sheet-president-donald-j-trump-empowers-parents-states-and-communities-to-improve-education-outcomes/
I support the President with his decisions and executive orders. Putting education back in the hands of parents and the states, not the feds, is appropriate and needed. Home schooling has increased significantly over the last 12 years. Mainly due to bias curriculum that was forced on our children within these schools. People have lost all respect and hope for our educational system. Even my 40 year old children, highly educated, will tell you even their college experience was filled with implicit bias. Thank goodness they are God fearing children and know right from wrong. They did not accept the rhetoric that was being forced upon them. I thank God for bringing us a leader with a backbone and who doesn't crumble under scrutiny or pressure. He has his work cut out for him while cleaning up after the last administration's numerous disasters.
David S | 5/15/2025 11:33:48 AM
Thank you for providing the link; my fear was that this statement would have been a capitulatory, weak statement begging not to be crushed. Instead, I'm encouraged by phrases such as "we oppose recent government actions" and specifically calling the administration out for rescinding funding appropriated by Congress (the only branch of government authorized to do so) and eroding the 1st Amendment by threatening deportation to those who say something Donald Trump doesn't like.
A broader coalition that includes but goes beyond higher ed must be formed to get America back on track as the beacon of freedom for all people it's intended to be. Because that's being threatened more every day. But the attacks on higher education are particularly dangerous; a well educated country is a strong and just country, and I am glad to see the higher ed community proactively refusing to comply.
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