Financial Aid Professionals Reflect on Most Recent 2026-27 Virtual Advocacy Pipeline
Nalia Medina, Assistant Director of Government Relations
In January, NASFAA hosted its first Advocacy Pipeline of 2026. Three members –– Lee Bray from Pitt Community College, Pamela Welch from Yale School of the Environment, and Ryan Jones from CT State Community College Gateway – met virtually with congressional staffers from North Carolina and Connecticut.
The Advocacy Pipeline entailed meetings with several congressional offices, including Reps. Gregory Murphy (R-N.C.) and Rosa DeLauro (D-CT) and Sens. Ted Budd (R-N.C.) and Richard Blumenthal (D-CT). During the virtual meetings, NASFAA members discussed increasing funding for the Pell Grant and reinstating the program’s automatic inflation adjustment, as well as lowering interest rates of federal student loans. Pipeline participants referenced the Affordable Loans for Students Act, a bill endorsed by NASFAA that would lower the interest rate on federal student loans to 2% and help ease the burden of student loan debt on current and future borrowers. The group also discussed reforming student loan default by allowing defaulted borrowers who enroll and make a payment in an income-driven repayment (IDR) plan to immediately exit default.
We asked the Advocacy Pipeline participants to share their thoughts and key takeaways from their time advocating with congressional staffers. Read on to learn about their experiences, and fill out this interest form if you would like to participate in an Advocacy Pipeline event.
Lee Bray – Senior Director of Financial Aid, Veterans Affairs and Student Resource Centers, Pitt Community College
I cannot speak highly enough about the Advocacy Pipeline virtual Hill meetings. I have attended numerous Hill visits before, but never in a virtual environment. Nalia organized everything for us, which considerably lowered any anxiety or nervousness I had.
I am not sure what I was expecting this time around.I knew how the conversations would flow but not in a virtual environment. I felt it was actually easier to have the meetings virtually rather than in person,which surprised me. Being able to have your notes and talking points handy was such a relief.
We discussed doubling the maximum Pell Grant award, lowering student loan interest rates, and reforming student loan default. I was truly surprised that we had very favorable interactions. The staffers seemed genuinely interested in our topics and asked follow-up questions and for materials to reference. I don’t know if I had ever had more positive interactions!
I encourage anyone to consider participating in the Advocacy Pipeline. It is such an invaluable experience and anyone can do it. Nalia makes the process so easy and stress free. It was an honor to participate in this with NASFAA and I love the opportunities NASFAA gives us. Being inclusive and valuing your members’ voices is truly appreciated!
Pamela Welch – Senior Associate Director of Financial Aid, Yale School of the Environment
The NASFAA virtual Advocacy Pipeline experience was truly amazing. With more than fifteen years in financial aid, I can confidently say this was one of the top ten experiences of my career. What made it especially meaningful was the opportunity to advocate for issues that are close to our hearts as financial aid professionals.
Although I currently work at a Graduate and Professional School, I chose to speak about the Pell Grant program because of my prior experience supporting students whose ability to attend college depended on Pell Grant funding. As financial aid administrators, we are the boots on the ground and are uniquely positioned to speak to what is working and what is not.
For those considering future NASFAA advocacy opportunities, my advice is simple: come prepared. Time is limited, so know your message, refine your elevator pitch, and be ready to make every moment count.
Ryan Jones – Campus Supervisor, Financial Aid Services, CT State Community College Gateway
When I was invited to participate in NASFAA’s Advocacy Pipeline, I didn’t really know what to expect. I’ve had limited interactions with policymakers on the federal level in the past, but never anything as close as a private conversation. That the other financial aid administrators and I were able to speak with congressional staffers directly about financial aid-matters of interest and concern was more than I could have hoped for.
We spoke at length about several financial aid topics and their importance to higher education. The staffers asked relevant questions, took notes, and provided some insight into the decision-making processes for their various districts. Hearing their explanations and anecdotes helped describe what the overarching atmosphere on Capitol Hill is currently like, at least with respect to higher education.
If given the opportunity, I would absolutely recommend that any financial aid professional interested in participating in the Advocacy Pipeline do so. You will not only have the chance to network with fellow NASFAA members , but you could wind up making inroads with legislators (to some degree), which is important for advocacy efforts.
Also, I’d like to personally thank Nalia Medina for facilitating the experience. Everything went as well as it did because of her guidance. I hope to work with her again in the future.
Publication Date: 3/10/2026
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