Higher Education Builds America

​​Our nation faces numerous challenges, such as growing economic and military competition abroad and a rapidly evolving economy that requires new ways of learning and working. The key to unlocking America’s potential lies in strengthening and utilizing our world-leading colleges and universities. This is because of one simple truth: Higher education builds America.

Investing in Students and Innovation

Charitable giving helps create and sustain endowments, which fuel student aid, research, and campus programs. These funds work alongside federal and state investments to expand college access. Nearly two-thirds of endowment spending supports financial aid and academic programs, helping students afford college and driving scientific and technological breakthroughs.

Some lawmakers want to increase the endowment tax, a policy that takes money directly from student aid, teaching, and research. Weakening these resources would undermine U.S. competitiveness and limit opportunities for students.

Read more in Understanding College and University Endowments to see how these critical funds open doors for students, advance groundbreaking research, and sustain the future of higher education.

We must protect these vital investments in America’s future. Tell Congress: Reject any expansion of the endowment tax. 

Contact Congress to Protect College Endowments
Ted Mitchell Op-Ed

ACE President Ted Mitchell lays out in an op-ed in The Hechinger Report why higher education must use all available tools to preserve and ultimately strengthen the long-standing partnership between colleges and universities and the federal government. "No nation has ever built up its people by tearing down its schools. Higher education builds America — and together, we will fight to ensure it continues to do so."

Read the full op-ed
Policy Options

ACE leads the higher education community to advance the fundamental principles of higher education. These principles emphasize access and success; the pursuit of knowledge; and the enrichment of the civic, democratic, and economic vibrancy of the United States.

President Trump’s Executive Orders Impacting Higher Education
March 18, 2025
President Trump’s Executive Orders Impacting Higher Education
President Trump signed a slew of executive orders in his first week that walk back Biden-era policies and fulfill his campaign promises. These are the EOs that impact higher education.
Letter to the Department of Education on SFFA Dear Colleague Letter
February 25, 2025
Letter to the Department of Education on SFFA Dear Colleague Letter
Along with more than 60 associations, ACE sent this letter in response to the Department of Education’s Feb. 14, 2025, Dear Colleague Letter.
Legal Challenge to Trump Administration’s Cut to NIH Research
February 10, 2025
Legal Challenge to Trump Administration’s Cut to NIH Research
Complaint filed with the U.S. District Court for Massachusetts by ACE, the Association of American Universities, and the Association of Public and Land-grant Universities seeking to halt the Trump administration's proposed cut to NIH research funding.
ACE 2025 Legislative and Regulatory Agenda
ACE 2025 Legislative and Regulatory Agenda
ACE's division of Government Relations and National Engagement's federal legislative and regulatory agenda for FY 2025 focuses on four key areas.
Open Letter to President-elect Trump
Open Letter to President-elect Trump
ACE President Ted Mitchell urges the incoming administration to recognize the critical role America’s colleges and universities can play in tackling the nation’s most pressing challenges.
SAA Urges Administration to Boost Student Aid in FY 2026
September 30, 2024
SAA Urges Administration to Boost Student Aid in FY 2026
The Student Aid Alliance is asking the administration to provide robust increases for federal student aid in its FY 2026 budget proposal.
Listen to dotEDU

dotEDU Live: What the Department of Education Layoffs Mean for Colleges and Universities

The latest episode of dotEDU Live unpacks the sweeping layoffs at the Department of Education and their implications for colleges and universities. Hosts Jon Fansmith, Sarah Spreitzer, and Mushtaq Gunja are joined by ACE President Ted Mitchell to break down the budget battle in Congress, the department’s restructuring, and the ripple effects on financial aid, student services, and institutional oversight. The discussion also covers the Trump administration’s ongoing investigations into higher education institutions, including Title VI enforcement actions and DEI-related scrutiny, as well as the shifting landscape for federal grant funding. (​​​​​​​​​​​​​​Aired March 20, 2025)

Fixing FAFSA: Lessons from the Rollout

In this episode of dotEDU, Sarah Spreitzer and Mushtaq Gunja give an update on the unprecedented workforce cuts at the Department of Education and share their concerns about the immediate and long-term implications for higher education. They then look back at the troubled rollout of the new FAFSA system. Jeremy Singer, president of the College Board, talks about his time at the Department of Education last year leading the FAFSA relaunch effort at the Office of Federal Student Aid. He shares firsthand insights into what went wrong, the challenges of managing a large-scale federal program, and the lessons learned from the rollout. (​​​​​​​​​​​Aired March 13, 2025)

Help Build the Campaign

Join ACE in this campaign by becoming a member, sharing the #higheredbuildsamerica message, and standing with us as we continue to advocate for higher education!

 

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