Arizona’s enacted FY2027 budget signed by Gov. Katie Hobbs eliminates millions in higher education funding and reduces scholarship and program support aimed at expanding access. The budget removes $16.3 million from state universities, including cuts to Arizona State University, Northern Arizona University, and the University of Arizona, and also trims funding for scholarship programs tied to earlier state investments. Among affected initiatives, the budget eliminates $16.3 million for the Arizona Promise program and $1.5 million previously invested in dual enrollment. It also slashes $6 million in funding for the Community College Adult Education Workforce program, which supports adult learners’ access to college education and workforce training. The cuts arrive after months of negotiations involving Republicans controlling both legislative chambers and Democratic lawmakers, with the governor framing the final budget as investing in education. Higher education leaders will now need to assess program-level impacts, including whether reductions translate into fewer funded seats, less student support, or changes in grant administration. For institutional planners, the budget update is an affordability and pipeline issue: programs designed to lower non-tuition barriers and widen access are vulnerable in state fiscal tightening.