IDEEA - Statements

In response to the Supreme Court’s recent ruling against the use of race-conscious policies in college admission, WASFAA would like to take this opportunity to reiterate our continued commitment to advocate for diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging in our financial aid communities. Not only does this ruling immediately impact our partners in Admissions, but it also impacts all higher education institutions who strive to diversify. This long-standing practice has had immense impact in diversifying and enriching higher education institutions.

In line with our mission to promote the participation of members who honor and reflect diversity of the student populations we serve, we recognize that diversity of ideas, backgrounds and perspectives in our WASFAA community is what helps us thrive as an organization.

In line with WASFAA’s core values of Professional Growth & Development, Inclusiveness, Advocacy and Collaboration, WASFAA continues to promote resources to our member schools that reflect our shared missions and values, while complying with the law. While race alone cannot be an Admissions criteria, we as schools and administrators can continue to support outreach efforts to our neediest populations, encourage conversation, strategize on the impact to financial aid policy and procedures, and support staff in efforts towards inclusiveness.

With the support of the WASFAA IDEEA (Inclusion, Diversity, Ethnicity, Equity, and Action) and Training committees we are proud to offer sessions that align with our ideals. By fostering inclusion and equipping members to assist the diverse populations we serve, we recognize the critical need and ongoing efforts to address racial disparities through advocacy and action.

The WASFAA IDEEA Committee would like to update you on the current landscape and our coordinated efforts to oppose proposals from the current administration that would reduce or eliminate funding for Minority-Serving Institutions (MSIs). As financial aid professionals, our role in protecting access and equity for students served by MSIs is critical.

What’s happening:

Across the region covered by WASFAA, we are seeing several advocacy initiatives underway:

• WASFAA’s federal relations committee reviews legislation and develops talking points to inform members and policymakers.
• The WASFAA “Resources” page provides links and tools for member institutions to contact elected officials, particularly important for newly elected members of Congress in our states.
• At the state level, financial aid associations in California (CASFAA), Oregon (OASFAA), Nevada (NAFAA), and Washington (WFAA) engage with their respective state and federal representatives to articulate how cuts to MSI funding would impact student access and institutional stability.
• Training and awareness-raising efforts: WASFAA and state associations include sessions on advocacy, equity, and how changes to federal funding flows affect underserved populations.

State-specific highlights for our region:

• California: Given the large number of MSIs and historically high underserved student population enrollments, advocacy by financial aid associations is emphasizing how defunding would affect both institutional viability and student outcomes.
• Oregon & Washington: Regional partners are leveraging state-level events and communications to raise awareness of changes to federal funding and the risk it poses for MSIs in their states and the ripple effects on student success and institutional capacity.
• Nevada: With a smaller number of MSI institutions but very high need populations, state advocates are emphasizing the disproportionate impact that defunding would have on access, retention, and completion.

Why this matters to us:

• MSIs serve high-need, underrepresented students; reductions in funding could sharply reduce access and increase barriers.
• As financial aid professionals, we are on the front line of student access, retention, and success. Any weakening of institutional support creates a disservice to the students we serve. These grants support first-generation students, transition and summer bridge programs, financial literacy, and other specialized pathways that support student retention and outcomes.
• By staying informed and involved in advocacy, we can help shape the conversation, provide on-the-ground data about how students are impacted, and support institutional readiness for potential changes.

What we can do right now:

• Stay alert to communications from WASFAA and our state associations for legislative alerts and action requests.
• Encourage students, especially those at MSIs, to lend their voices—first-hand student stories are particularly persuasive to policymakers. It’s important that we provide the tools students need to reach their legislators at both the state and federal levels.
• Participate in any scheduled training or webinars about advocacy, federal policy changes, and how our work aligns with institutional strategy and student equity.
• Collaborate internally across our office and with institutional leaders to ensure we have clear data and messaging prepared in case funding cuts materialize.

The WASFAA IDEEA Committee will continue to closely monitor developments and share timely updates that affect our institutions, states, and the region.

Thank you for your continued commitment to supporting students, advocating for equitable funding, and ensuring that our institutions remain places of access and opportunity.

With gratitude,
The WASFAA IDEEA Committee