[1] In 1971, a faction of National Student Association members from California broke away from the organization due to dissatisfaction with what they perceived as the NSA's limited emphasis on real legislative efforts.
They established the National Student Lobby to advocate at both state and federal levels, particularly concerning issues like economic access to higher education,[2] as well as "airfare discounts, abolition of the draft, the minimum wage, and limiting Presidential war powers.
"[3] In March 1972, According to The New York Times, the NSL sent "more than 300 students from 39 states, half of whom are registered lobbyists, [who] spent [two days] speaking to their Senators and Congressmen about increased funding for the recently passed higher education bill, which has yet to be cleared by conferees.
"[4] In 1974, in response to the NSL's formation, the National Student Association established a separate foundation for non-political activities.
[2] Subsequently, in August 1978, a joint meeting between the two groups resulted in a resounding approval for a merger, leading to the formation of the United States Student Association (USSA).