Washington Update (October 2025)-Recording

Video Transcription

Video Summary

In the October Washington update webinar, Christy Grimm (CASE Director of Online Education) and Brian Flavin discussed key issues affecting higher education institutions amid ongoing federal government challenges. They were joined by Liz Clark, VP of Policy and Research at NACUBO, who provided insights into the current policy landscape from the perspective of college business officers.<br /><br />Key topics included the prolonged federal government shutdown, which, while causing some disruptions, has so far allowed critical operations like student financial aid processing to continue. However, uncertainty remains around new research grant awards and federal funding, impacting institutional planning. Both Clark and Flavin emphasized the political impasse, noting a lack of public pressure and political will for resolution.<br /><br />The conversation also covered NACUBO’s concerns around the recently passed “One Big Beautiful Bill Act,” highlighting increased endowment taxes and other financial pressures on higher education, balanced by the introduction of new workforce Pell Grants. The administration’s “Compact for Excellence in Higher Education” was described as a contentious initiative with potentially restrictive requirements for institutions seeking federal grants, sparking debate about institutional autonomy and financial health.<br /><br />Clark shared that top concerns for business officers include managing unreliable funding, workforce challenges, rising operational costs, and communicating the value of higher education amid policy changes. The panel acknowledged ongoing legal challenges related to federal programs, such as Hispanic-serving institutions, and noted the complexity of federal budget negotiations with uncertain outcomes for FY26 funding.<br /><br />The webinar closed with encouragement for institutions to engage with NACUBO resources for policy updates and highlighted the resilience of higher education, with steady enrollment and financial aid processes continuing despite challenges. Attendees were also invited to upcoming in-person workshops focusing on tax law impacts on advancement offices.

Keywords

Washington update webinar

higher education challenges

federal government shutdown

student financial aid

research grant funding

One Big Beautiful Bill Act

endowment taxes

workforce Pell Grants

Compact for Excellence in Higher Education

NACUBO policy insights