Fiscal Year 2026 Appropriations Letter to the House and Senate

September 30, 2025

The Honorable John Thune Majority Leader

U.S. Senate

Room S-230, The Capitol Washington, DC 20510

The Honorable Chuck Schumer Minority Leader

U.S. Senate

Room S-221, The Capitol Washington, DC 20510

The Honorable Mike Johnson Speaker

U.S. House of Representatives Room H-232, The Capitol Washington, DC 20515

The Honorable Hakeem Jeffries Minority Leader

U.S. House of Representatives Room H-204, The Capitol Washington, DC 20515

Dear Majority Leader Thune, Speaker Johnson, and Minority Leaders Schumer and Jeffries:

On behalf of the American Council on Education and the undersigned higher education associations, I write to urge Congress to ensure that all funds allocated for fiscal year (FY) 2026 be spent by the administration as intended, which may require detailed legislative language and other procedural safeguards. The ultimate goal should be to provide stability, certainty, and transparency as the Office of Management and Budget apportions funds and agencies implement programmatic funding levels approved by Congress. We appreciate the bipartisan support for students in higher education and hope that Congress can reach an agreement to keep the government open without any lapse in funding.

This year, colleges and universities across the country have struggled to navigate the ongoing uncertainty around the availability and distribution of FY 2025 funds, which has harmed institutional efficiency as well as the quality of the academic experience for students. Agencies have been slow to distribute funds, leaving institutions anxiously waiting for communication on the status of funding for new grants and contracts. Some institutions have had expected continuation grant funds halted mid-project and have often been unable to receive a clear answer as to why. Congress must put an end to these chaotic administrative processes.

In recent months, many members of Congress have exerted enormous effort to support institutions in their states and districts that have been negatively impacted by the uncertain availability of FY 2025 funds. In the best cases, members have been forced to do even more work by weighing in to help restore funding and encourage the timely disbursement of new grants. However, even with this support, billions of dollars appropriated by Congress for FY 2025 remain in limbo. Some agencies, such as the Department of Education, have terminated FY 2025 funding for programs identified in law to repurpose the funding to other programs without congressional approval. These unprecedented actions have significantly impacted students and families as the programs designed to serve them have been subjected to unanticipated disruptions and even elimination through no fault of their own. Further withholding of federal investments in higher education approved by Congress will result in reduced funding for workforce development programs; decreased enrollment of graduate and postdoctoral students; and weaken the support many students need to succeed in college.

As FY 2026 approaches, higher education leaders continue to work with appropriators to address key priorities and how they align with the goals of Congress. However, the continued uncertainty surrounding the availability of FY 2025 funds partially overshadows this process and dramatically complicates planning.

We therefore urge Congress to ensure that all FY 2026 appropriations bills contain legislative language mandating that the administration allocate funds as directed by Congress. We further hope that the finalization of the FY 2026 appropriations process proceeds expeditiously and urge swift and final passage.

Sincerely,

Ted Mitchell President

AACTE: American Association of Colleges for Teacher Education Achieving the Dream

ACPA-College Student Educators International American Association of Colleges and Universities American Association of Colleges of Nursing

American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine

American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers American Association of Community Colleges

American Association of State Colleges and Universities American Association of University Professors American Association of Veterinary Medical Colleges American College Health Association

American Council of Learned Societies American Council on Education American Dental Education Association American Psychological Association Associated Colleges of the Midwest Association for Institutional Research Association of American Law Schools Association of American Medical Colleges Association of American Universities

Association of Community College Trustees

Association of Governing Boards of Universities and Colleges Association of Independent California Colleges and Universities Association of Independent Colleges & Universities in Massachusetts Association of Independent Colleges and Universities of Pennsylvania Association of Independent Colleges and Universities of Rhode Island Association of Jesuit Colleges and Universities

Association of Public and Land-grant Universities Association of Research Libraries

Association of Schools Advancing Health Professions Association of Schools and Colleges of Optometry Association of Schools and Programs of Public Health

College and University Professional Association for Human Resources Complete College America

Connecticut Conference of Independent Colleges Council for Christian Colleges and Universities Council for Opportunity in Education

Council of Graduate Schools Council of Independent Colleges Council on Social Work Education EDUCAUSE

Great Lakes Colleges Association Higher Education Loan Coalition Higher Learning Commission

Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities Independent Colleges of Indiana

Independent Colleges of Washington

Michigan Independent Colleges and Universities NAFSA: Association of International Educators NASPA-Student Affairs in Higher Education

National Association for College Admission Counseling National Association of College and University Business Officers National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators National Council for Community and Education Partnerships New England Commission of Higher Education

North Carolina Independent Colleges and Universities Phi Beta Kappa Society

State Higher Education Executive Officers Association UPCEA

Wisconsin Association of Independent Colleges and Universities

Cc:

The Honorable Susan Collins, Chair, Senate Committee on Appropriations

The Honorable Patty Murray, Ranking Member, Senate Committee on Appropriations The Honorable Tom Cole, Chairman, House Committee on Appropriations

The Honorable Rosa DeLauro, Ranking Member, House Committee on Appropriations