NACAC Research
Visit NACAC's Research Web page to view the latest on research generated by NACAC on college counseling and admission issues, as well as highlights of research from other sources.
The College Affordability and Opportunity Act
The College Affordability and Opportunity Act (PL 110-315) is the 2008 reauthorization of the Higher Education Act (HEA), which became law on August 14, 2008. Several of NACAC's recommendations were addressed by this legislation. Read a summary of provisions of interest to NACAC.
College Access Challenge Grants
The College Access Challenge Grant (CACG) program was passed as part of the CCRAA (see below). CACG is a new grant program that NACAC S/R affiliates are eligible for as subgrantees. These grants are awarded to states to provide professional development for school counselors and college admission officers, as well as college preparatory information for students and families.
College Cost Reduction and Access Act (CCRAA)
The College Cost Reduction and Access Act (HR 2669 ro CCRAA) was signed into law on September 27, 2007. The CCRAA reauthorizes a portion of the Higher Education Act, and is also a reconciliation bill, applying $21 billion in savings from cuts to lender subsidies to higher education initiatives. In addition to the College Access Challenge Grants (see above), the CCRAA also includes a new loan forgiveness program for certain Direct Loan borrowers who are public service employees. Read an FAQ list prepared by NAPSO on the new program.
Issue Areas
Please find below links to documents and guidance on various issues faced by college counseling and admission professionals. Need more information? Want to see additional topics covered here? Contact NACAC staff at legislative@nacacnet.org.
ACG and SMART Grants. Academic Competitiveness Grants (ACG) and Science and Mathematics Access to Retain Talent (SMART) Grants were authorized in December 2005 in the portion of the Higher Education Act that was addressed by the FY06 reconciliation package.
The COMPETES Act. The America COMPETES Act (Creating Opportunities to Meaningfully Promote Excellence in Technology, Education, and Science) was signed into law on August 9, 2007. The bill will provide grant funds to improve instruction in science, math, and foreign language. Read a summary of the legislation's education provisions.
NACAC has collected these resources for counseling and admission professionals in pursuit and maintenance of diversity on campus.
Students with Disabilities. The Department of Education's Office of Civil Rights (OCR) enforces section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act and Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act (IDEA), which prohibit discrimination on the basis of disability. Public institutions of higher education are subject to both section 504 and Title II. Private institutions are subject to similar provisions in Title III of IDEA, which is enforced by the Department of Justice. Read OCR's guidance for institutions and for parents below.
International Students. Visit NACAC's Resources page for international students, and the Department of Homeland Security's SEVIS resource page.
Undocumented Students. Visit NACAC's DREAM Act web page for a timeline of NACAC's activities in support of the DREAM Act, as well as talking points and policy briefs on the legislation. Read the Plyer v. Doe Supreme Court decision (1982) that provides judiciary background for the DREAM Act.
The Federal Trade Commission has identified preventing scholarship scams as a major priority. If you think you've been scammed, contact the FTC via their online consumer complaint form.
- Visit Project Scholarscam from the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), and read the FTC's sixth annual report to Congress on the project.
- Visit the FAFSA website (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) to find out everything you need to know about applying for federal financial aid.
- Use NACAC's Don't Get Hooked! flyer to educate your students on how to avoid scholarship scams. This flyer was created by NACAC in conjunction with coalition partners, including NASFAA.