Board of Regents of University of Wisconsin System

Support for the inclusion of higher education priorities and funding including efforts to support the Pell Grant, support for additional funding for federal research and research infrastructure, support for workforce and campus economic development initiatives, student mental health and academic success priorities throughout the FY26 budget and appropriations process. Continued support for the UW System's 2025 Federal Priorities including sustained funding for: the National Institutes of Health, the National Science Foundation (NSF), and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and NOAA's National Estuarine Research Reserve program. Concern with proposed cuts to Facilities and Administrative Costs across federal research agencies. Support for federal financial aid programs including: the Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant, Federal Work Study, TRIO, GEAR UP, and the Pell Grant Program. Support for the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) and the Manufacturing Extension Partnership program in FY26 appropriations legislation. Support for nursing rehabilitation gym and lab space in FY26 Appropriations. Concerns with proposed cuts to research agencies, grantmaking, and federal financial aid proposed in the President's FY26 Budget Request. Continued concerns with H.R. 1, the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, and provisions related to higher education financing, accountability, and aid. Concerns with H.R. 6422 - American Water Stewardship Act and support for H.R. 3593/S.1874 - Title VIII Nursing Workforce Reauthorization Act of 2025.

Support for the UW System's 2025 Federal Priorities including the reauthorization of the Higher Education Act and student federal financial aid including: the Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant, Federal Work Study, TRIO, GEAR UP, and the Pell Grant Program. Support for efforts related to freedom of expression and civil dialogue on college campuses. Concerns related to potential impacts to student financial aid and to other operational matters resulting from ongoing efforts to close the Department of Education, the agency's reduction in force, and lapse in appropriations. Support for graduate education and concerns with changes stemming from H.R.1 related to loan caps, the elimination of grad plus loans, and the definition of professional degrees. Concerns with education processing delays due to the lapse in appropriations.

Support for efforts to improve visa processing and concern with policy decisions that may be detrimental to international student success including changes to H-1B visa policies, OPT, and duration of status rules.

Support for Congressional efforts related to student veterans and student veteran services. Concerns with delays to Chapter 35 benefits and impacts related to a lapse in appropriations.