Federal Policy Issues
WAICU works closely with the National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities (NAICU), our national counterpart, to ensure that our colleges and universities’ interests are represented in Washington. Learn more about NAICU here.
WAICU continuously communicates with our members of the Wisconsin congressional delegation. Some of the causes we have most recently been advocating for include:
Federal Student Aid and Tax Benefits
- Federal student aid makes it possible for students from all backgrounds to attend college and find their “best fit” institution. Pell Grants, Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants (SEOG), Federal Work-Study (FWS), and student loans work collectively to ensure access and affordability. We have asked members for their continued support of the federal student aid programs and the tax benefits that help students save for college, pay for college, and repay student loans.
Cost Sharing Proposal Concerns
- Private, nonprofit institutions provide a significant return on investment for employers and the State of Wisconsin. WAICU has opposed proposals on student loan risk sharing that would disproportionately affect the private, nonprofit sector. A past proposal known as the College Cost Reduction Act would have taxed our colleges for loan features set by Congress, such as loan forgiveness and interest rates that our colleges have no control over.
Endowment Tax Concerns
- We oppose proposals that target the private, nonprofit sector and tax our institutions such as the endowment tax. The diversity of American higher education has provided Americans with choice and access to more institutional types than any other country in the world, primarily because the federal government has traditionally treated all sectors equitably. We continue to advocate for this choice in higher education access.
Student Loan Reforms
- We have requested that members of congress take a balanced approach to student loan reform and engage colleges and universities in the conversation to strike a reasonable balance among student, institutional, and taxpayer responsibilities. Federal student loans are a critical access program for millions of Americans.
Ongoing Regulatory Changes
- Executive Orders have changed the regulatory landscape, creating instability for many students and institutions. In this time of change, we are asking the Administration and members of Congress to work in partnership with our institutions as we work to support Wisconsin’s citizens and economic vitality.