NACUBO

Trump Can’t Cap Overhead Rate on NIH Grants to Research Universities, Appeals Court Rules The ruling is a victory for higher-education associations who challenged the proposed 15-percent cap, calling it illegal and claiming it would devastate the research enterprise.

"A federal appeals court on Monday ruled that the National Institutes of Health cannot unilaterally cap the indirect-cost rate on its grants at 15 percent, continuing a freeze on the controversial policy change that would cost universities billions."

www.chronicle.com/blogs/the-tr...

www.chronicle.com/article/the-...

"This sea change spans the entire higher-education landscape, from major research universities to community colleges and from full-time undergraduates to working adults, creating tremendous growth potential for our state and regional economies," NACUBO President and CEO Kara D. Freeman says.

We Asked 50 Higher-Ed Influencers to Pick the Biggest Trend Since 2000. Here’s What They Said. More than 50 people across higher education weigh in on the most consequential trend in the sector since 2000.

The most consequential #HigherEd trend of the past 25 years, according to NACUBO President and CEO Kara D. Freeman? The rapid development and refinement of online and hybrid education.

Temple hosts budget model workshops Temple University is in the Budget Model Design phase as it works to create a new budget model.

With NACUBO Consulting, @templeuniversity.bsky.social
is hosting budget model workshops as it transitions from RCM: news.temple.edu/news/2025-10...

This Veterans Day, NACUBO recognizes the more than 820,000 undergraduate military learners (as estimated by @aceducation.bsky.social) enrolled at U.S. colleges and universities and thanks all who have served and the institutions supporting their success.

At #AMAHigherEd, NACUBO President and CEO Kara D. Freeman encouraged marketing attendees to reach out to their business and finance offices. "CFOs want the campus to have its best foot forward - and they have the data to provide to help tell the story."

NACUBO also has data to help tell your story:

Congratulations to Angie Leahy, associate vice chancellor for finance and controller at Washington University in St. Louis, who received the 2025 Tax Award for her extensive contributions to the tax community and to NACUBO!

Thank you to NACUBO member Elgin Community College for giving our director Bryan Dickson a tour of your incredible new Manufacturing and Technology Center! elgin.edu/about/campus...

As September 30 approaches, the threat of a federal government shutdown does, too. Here's what colleges and universities should expect: www.nacubo.org/News/2025/9/...

"We look forward to helping these Emerging Leaders grow in their leadership capabilities to take back to their institutions. The future of higher education is bright!" -NACUBO President and CEO Kara D. Freeman (2/2)

"It is wonderful to see so many aspiring business leaders committing to our immersive professional development program—and so many additional colleges and universities supporting their staff members’ growth with NACUBO,” said NACUBO President and CEO Kara D. Freeman. (1/2)

We are pleased to welcome the 2025-26 NACUBO Emerging Leaders, our largest group of aspiring higher education leaders yet!

www.nacubo.org/Press-Releas...

Higher Education's Top 5 Business Issues of 2025 This year’s Top 5 Issues list shows that colleges and universities must navigate risks, enhance their reputations, and demonstrate financial resilience.

In 2025, college and university business offices are facing some familiar challenges with a new sense of urgency and unpredictability.

See the Top 5 Higher Education Business Issues of 2025: www.nacubo.org/Research/202...

Ep. 169: College Financial Planners Embrace Flexibility The Key with Inside Higher Ed · Episode

Higher Ed is facing economic uncertainty from many angles, and college financial planners are finding flexibility. @karafreeman-nacubo.bsky.social, Pres and CEO of @nacubo.bsky.social talked with @saracuster.insidehighered.com, host of @insidehighered.com’s “The Key,” about the unpredictability.

Ep. 169: College Financial Planners Embrace Flexibility | Inside Higher Ed The ongoing uncertainty in the economy, the government demanding enormous sums from Ivy League in

“We are seeing our members strategically shifting where they can to meet this moment of uncertainty. Our CBOs are collaborating across campus with their colleagues; they’re coming up with innovative ways to both economize and invest.” -NACUBO President and CEO Kara D. Freeman

We are pleased to welcome the 2025-26 NACUBO Board of Directors, chaired by University at Buffalo VP Laura Hubbard. www.nacubo.org/Press-Releas...

How Cal State is betting on shared services amid funding cuts Campuses are increasingly collaborating on backend services to save costs and become nimbler in a tough financial environment.

At the NACUBO 2025 Annual Meeting, @csufofficial.bsky.social business officers offered advice on using shared services for greater financial stability highereddive.com/news/cal-sta... #NACUBO2025

We are so pleased to congratulate the 2025 NACUBO Award recipients. Thank you for your many contributions to NACUBO and #HigherEd! www.nacubo.org/Press-Releas... #NACUBO2025

You can also join #NACUBO2025 online: nacubo.org/Events/2025/...

The NACUBO 2025 Annual Meeting is underway! Follow along and share your insights using #NACUBO2025

nacubo.org/Events/2025/...

To kick off the NACUBO 2025 Annual Meeting, business officers will volunteer at a local middle school in Washington, DC. Our longstanding tradition has a special component this year: The school is President Kara Freeman's alma mater. #NACUBO2025

www.nacubo.org/News/2025/7/...

"By doing the strategic work needed now, colleges can emerge from the current circumstances stronger and able to thrive," NACUBO Vice President of Consulting Ruth Johnston writes for @chronicle.com: www.chronicle.com/article/a-ne...

Survey: College leaders warn of growing financial threats A new national survey reveals deepening anxiety among college business officers, as higher education faces mounting financial pressure and political uncertainty.

For higher ed, this moment, while uncertain, provides opportunity, NACUBO President and CEO Kara D. Freeman told @wgbh.org www.wgbh.org/news/educati...

College business officers survey finds risks, resilience CBOs identify financial threats to their institutions in our annual survey, especially in the near-term. They also hint at confidence in their institution’s ability to adapt.

Many CBOs surveyed said they're confident in their institution's 5-10 year outlooks. "Higher ed, even if it’s slow to change, is resilient. So I expect that we’re going to see new, creative solutions that will help bolster higher education,” NACUBO Consulting VP Ruth Johnston said.

College business officers survey finds risks, resilience CBOs identify financial threats to their institutions in our annual survey, especially in the near-term. They also hint at confidence in their institution’s ability to adapt.

“Chief business officers like certainty, whether it’s certainty about revenue streams or potential costs. And right now they just are not getting it, " NACUBO President and CEO Kara D. Freeman told @insidehighered.com.

Navigating Uncertainty Under Trump Join us for a series of webinars in the coming weeks to examine major challenges colleges face as the Trump administration tries to transform higher education.

This Wednesday, hear from NACUBO's Liz Clark, vice president of policy and research, during @chronicle.com's free webinar series. connect.chronicle.com/trump-webina...

The annual @nacubo.bsky.social Tuition Discounting Study has been released, and tuition discounting has reached a new record high. Of the 286 private non-profit colleges that provided data, on average, for every dollar of undergraduate tuition, the university is responsible for 51.4% of that cost.

Private institutions are working on new strategies to attract and retain students. In the NACUBO study, more than half of the colleges and universities (54.2%) reported using new financial aid strategies to increase net tuition revenue, and 52.7% reported using new student retention efforts.

Tuition Discounting Hits Another High NACUBO’s latest study finds that colleges continue to charge students less than their listed sticker price at a rate surpassing prior records.

"Although some families may assume that college is out of reach, there are many, many private colleges and universities across the country that offer substantial financial aid to bring down the cost of a postsecondary education," said NACUBO President and CEO Kara D. Freeman.