Introduction and summary
Community colleges—public institutions that offer programs that are no more than two years long and result in students receiving a certificate or associate degree—play a crucial role in providing access to postsecondary education and job training opportunities for millions of students and workers across the United States. Enrolling about 10 million students annually, these institutions reach both urban and rural communities and provide a crucial pathway to economic opportunity and the American dream.1 Many students choose to attend a community college with affordability in mind.2 Largely due to their comparatively low tuition rates and emphasis on practical training, community colleges have long been regarded as affordable gateways to upward mobility.
While tuition costs at two-year colleges remain low relative to those at four-year institutions, increases in nontuition expenses, such as housing, food, transportation, and books, are a greater source of financial strain for community college students. Despite paying lower tuition and fees than students enrolled in four-year institutions, community college students’ living costs are comparable to those of students enrolled in four-year institutions.
Policymakers and institutions looking to help community college students succeed in their postsecondary education and later in the workforce should consider policies that reduce costs for and offer assistance to more students, with the overarching goals of improving access and affordability. They can do this by removing barriers to ensure that students can afford necessities, including by helping students access nutrition assistance programs, federal housing programs, and transportation and child care options. In addition, policymakers could bring down the cost of community college by increasing investments in state and federal programs that community colleges and their students rely on.
The One Big Beautiful Bill cuts higher education and basic needs programs
On July 4, 2025, President Trump signed the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) into law.3 This legislation, which was passed by congressional Republicans through the budget reconciliation process, represents a sweeping assault on health care, nutrition, and education programs.4 The education title of the bill cuts more than $220 billion, the vast majority of which represents funding that helps to make postsecondary education affordable.5 The legislation ends existing student loan repayment plans and replaces them with new plans that offer less flexibility and raise costs for the lowest-income borrowers.6 It also includes new loan limits that will cap the amount of federal student loans available to graduate and parent borrowers.7 This change will likely force some students to take out private student loans, which in many cases have higher interest rates and offer fewer consumer protections.8 Other students may not be able to access private financing because of poor credit or not having a co-signer.9 Furthermore, the legislation guts important oversight mechanisms, leaving students more vulnerable to predatory institutions.10 Such changes will fundamentally restructure who gets access to higher education and under what terms.
Beyond cutting funds for education, the congressional Republican tax and budget legislation reaches even deeper into Americans’ pockets.11 It enacts the largest-ever cuts to both the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and Medicaid, essential programs that provide food assistance and health insurance to low-income households.12 The bill cuts more than $1 trillion from health care programs, principally Medicaid, which could lead to an estimated 8.7 million people losing their health insurance.13 In addition, Congress failed to extend the Affordable Care Act’s (ACA) enhanced premium tax credits (PTCs), and as a result, an estimated 20 million Americans will face significant premium increases in 2026.14 The loss of enhanced PTCs combined with other OBBA provisions will significantly raise premium costs for young adults, especially those with low and modest incomes.15
The OBBA also eliminates $186 billion for SNAP, or about 20 percent of the program’s funding, which the Urban Institute estimates would lead to 22.3 million U.S. families losing their nutrition assistance.16 A higher share of community college students come from low-income families, relative to students at four-year institutions, suggesting community college students would likely be disproportionately harmed by the cuts to higher education affordability as well as to social safety net programs such as SNAP and Medicaid.17 The challenges community college students face in affording necessities highlight the need to expand, not cut, these crucial programs.
The changes made in the OBBBA will make it harder for Americans in every state—including community college students—to access housing, food, and other essentials. These changes are a step in the wrong direction. Policymakers should instead look for ways to improve and expand access to these programs. Expansion of these programs would help ensure no American’s basic needs go unmet and would help more community college students afford necessities and ultimately complete their degrees.
Who are community college students?
There are more than 1,000 community colleges in the United States.18 These institutions provide access to higher education and workforce training for more than 10 million students annually.19 Additionally, community colleges broadly sustain and advance economic prosperity and global competitiveness for the United States and function as major employers, providers of essential services, real estate holders, and drivers of economic activity in many communities.20
Community college students are predominantly women (58 percent) and first-generation college students (32 percent) and are more likely to be enrolled part time (66 percent).21 The average age of a community college student is 27, and almost 3 in 4 are working while in school22—including almost half in full-time employment.23 Twenty-two percent of all undergraduates are parents, and of those students with children, 70 percent are mothers, with a significant share being single mothers.24 Community college students are also spread out in geographically diverse areas, including rural communities: The 444 rural community colleges across the country enroll more than 1.5 million students.25
1.5 million
Number of students enrolled in the 444 rural community colleges in the United States
Due to the economic status of many community college students, federal aid is fundamental to their ability to enroll. Among public two-year college students, about 1 in 3 live in households with an annual income of less than $20,000, meaning that the cost of community college would be out of reach without aid.26 Seventy-four percent of community college students applied for aid in the 2019-20 academic year, while 61 percent applied for federal aid specifically.27 About 12 percent of public two-year college students took out student loans, compared with 40 percent of public four-year college students.28 Community college students also benefit from the Pell Grant program, with about 1 in 3 receiving a Pell Grant.29
Overall, community college students tend to experience more precarious economic conditions and insecurity that can cause them to drop out of programs and to be unable to finish degrees or credentials.30 They are likely to report housing and food insecurity and may lack resources, such as transportation or child care, that would allow them to attend school. This illustrates just how important additional supports are to ensure their success.31
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Nontuition costs drive the cost of attendance at community colleges
The average cost of tuition and fees for a community college student during the 2024-25 academic year was $4,050.32 This comprises only about 20 percent of the average student’s overall budget, which includes books, housing, and other expenses.33 The share of community college students’ budgets devoted to tuition and fees is significantly smaller than that of their peers enrolled at other types of institutions. Housing and food accounted for the largest share of community college students’ budgets, at 51 percent, followed by tuition and fees (20 percent), other expenses (13 percent), transportation (10 percent), and books and supplies (7 percent).34
In fact, when adjusted for inflation, the price of tuition and fees at public two-year institutions has been relatively stable or falling. (see Figure 1) In addition, after accounting for financial support in the form of grant aid, on average, first-time, full-time, in-district students at public two-year institutions have been able to cover tuition and fees since the 2009-10 academic year.35 Given that many of these students come from low-income households, they may also be able to supplement their earnings and/or financial aid with public benefits such as SNAP or Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF). Depending on the state they live in, they may also qualify for free community college.36
Overall, institutional grant aid, federal financial aid, and other types of support help students at public two-year institutions pay for tuition and fees. In fact, since the 2017-18 academic year, the net tuition and fees for community college students was negative, suggesting that grant aid fully covered these fees and even helped bring down nontuition costs. However, the net cost of attendance, driven primarily by living costs, remains around $16,000 per year in 2024-25, which prevents many students from being able to enroll full time or causes them to work more to cover such costs, potentially affecting their academic performance and likelihood of program completion.37
Rising nontuition costs make it harder for community college students to cover basic needs
Community college students are not immune to the pressures of rising costs for expenses such as housing and transportation.38 Many of these trends have accelerated in the years since the COVID-19 pandemic, as Americans have generally experienced higher costs for major household expenses such as housing,39 health care,40 transportation,41 and food,42 among others.
Nontuition costs contribute to high rates of basic needs insecurity among community college students. Basic needs include food, housing, health care, transportation, technology, personal hygiene resources, and dependent care—essentials that are foundational to academic success.43 For millions of community college students, insecurity in one or more of these areas is the norm, not an exception.44 According to a 2023-24 survey by the HOPE Center for Student Basic Needs at Temple University, 59 percent of community college students report experiencing at least one form of basic needs insecurity, with 41 percent facing food insecurity and nearly half (48 percent) experiencing housing insecurity.45 Even more troubling, 14 percent of students report experiencing homelessness.46
Basic needs insecurity is not just a hardship; it directly affects a student’s ability to persist and complete their program of study.
Basic needs insecurity is not just a hardship; it directly affects a student’s ability to persist and complete their program of study. Research consistently links unmet basic needs to lower retention and graduation rates, with 79 percent of students who withdrew from their program citing basic needs challenges or financial strain as a contributing factor.47 A 2018 Government Accountability Office (GAO) report confirmed that despite the billions of dollars spent annually on grants and loans, many low-income students struggle to afford their basic living needs, jeopardizing their ability to stay enrolled.48 These challenges are particularly acute for parenting students, students with disabilities, Black and Indigenous students, and those who have been involved with the criminal justice system—all of whom report disproportionately high rates of need.49
Yet despite these affordability challenges, the economic benefits of a postsecondary degree or credential are indisputable. Workers who attain an associate degree or above earn higher wages and have lower levels of unemployment relative to workers with less educational attainment.50
States such as California, Washington, and Illinois have begun implementing policies to support students’ basic needs through interventions such as food pantries, housing assistance programs, and access to mental health care. However, the patchwork network of these efforts leaves many students unsupported, underscoring a need for systemic, multilayered interventions.51 Addressing the full spectrum of students’ basic needs is essential not only for ensuring individual educational attainment but also for advancing equity and upward mobility through higher education.52
Housing
Housing instability is a major driver of financial strain for community college students, often triggering a cascade of additional hardships.53 When students lack stable housing, they are significantly more likely to also deal with food insecurity, unreliable transportation, and limited access to health care services.54 Specifically, about half of all college students, including community college students, struggle to find affordable housing.55 Without stable housing, students can be less successful academically and face health and employment challenges that undermine their ability to complete a postsecondary education.56
Despite the critical importance of housing stability, federal housing assistance programs largely exclude college students from eligibility. Current regulations—particularly those established in the 2005 U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) appropriations bill—block most students under the age of 24 from accessing HUD public housing, rental assistance, or other benefits related to the low-income housing tax credit.57 These policies rely on outdated assumptions that students are either living on campus or are financially supported by their families, failing to reflect the lived reality of many college students.
Food
Food costs, a major component of students’ budgets, can put financial strain on community college students. The inflation rate for food is high, which contributes to food insecurity across the country, particularly for the lowest-income Americans. From February 2021 to February 2022, food prices increased by 7.9 percent.58 Food insecurity remains a significant barrier for community college students, many of whom juggle coursework, jobs, and family responsibilities. A 2025 GAO study found that nearly 1 in 4 college students have reported uncertain access to food, despite being potentially eligible for SNAP benefits.59 The study found that this may be attributed to students “not being aware of SNAP’s existence, not knowing if they are eligible or how to apply for benefits, or mistakenly thinking that all students are ineligible.”60
Transportation
Reliable transportation is essential for community college students, who often must travel to campus while also managing jobs, internships, family care, and other responsibilities. Nearly all community college students (99 percent) commute to class, and for those that live in more suburban or rural areas, the challenges of accessing transportation can be even more difficult.61 The most recent HOPE Center report found that 93 percent of two-year students who regularly attend classes on campus rely on either a vehicle or public transit to get to class.62 Yet for many students, access to consistent and affordable transportation options remains a major challenge, with about 1 in 8 students reporting missing class or work due to transportation issues.63
For students without dependable transportation, the daily effort of getting to class can become a recurring source of stress and instability. While more than half (57 percent) of community college campuses are within walking distance of a public transit stop, an additional 25 percent could be made accessible by expanding current transit routes.64
Transportation costs for students at public two-year institutions were $2,010 in the 2024-25 year, an increase from the 2023-24 academic year and a significantly higher cost than for students at other types of institutions. These higher costs reflect the fact that community college students often have longer commutes and more limited modes of transportation.65
Child care
For the millions of parenting students enrolled in higher education, the cost and unavailability of child care creates substantial and often insurmountable barriers to academic success. Parenting students, who represent about one-fifth of the college population, experience basic needs insecurity at much higher rates than their nonparenting peers.66 These challenges are particularly severe among Black student parents.67 Additionally, without affordable and accessible child care, student parents are more likely to drop out of school, ending up with debt but no degree or credential for their time enrolled in a program.
The financial burden of child care is a leading driver of instability. Eighty-six percent of parenting students say child care is either not at all affordable or only somewhat affordable.68 In 2023, the average price of child care for two children—an infant and a 4-year-old—was $24,981 in a center-based program and $21,221 in a home-based program.69 In most parts of the country, child care costs exceed those of annual in-state college tuition, transportation, and housing.70 Child care costs consume an estimated 10 percent of median household income for two-earner households and as much as one-third (32 percent) of median household income for single earners.71
This expense directly contributes to high rates of parenting students leaving college—either temporarily or permanently—before finishing their degree. Parenting students are twice as likely as nonparents to have paused their education and later reenrolled, often citing child care and other caregiving responsibilities, such as caring for an ailing family member, as key reasons for their withdrawal.72 The challenge exists beyond cost; access itself also is limited. One-third of parenting students say their college offers no child care or subsidies, and more than half are unsure of what resources exist.73 Many rely on informal care from family or friends, as formal centers are often unavailable or unaffordable. In fact, according to 2018 data, more than half of the country lives in a child care desert, where there is insufficient supply to meet the demand in the economy.74 Notably, the share of public colleges offering child care dropped from 59 percent in 2004 to just 45 percent in 2019, with community colleges seeing the sharpest decline.75 The federal Child Care Access Means Parents in Schools (CCAMPIS) Program76 offers funding to support on-campus child care services that can help low-income parenting college students attend classes,77 but it has faced persistent underfunding78 and was entirely eliminated in the president’s proposed fiscal year 2026 budget.79
Health insurance
Access to health care and health insurance is crucial for supporting the well-being and academic success of community college students. Studies indicate that when basic needs such as health care are unmet, students are likely to have “lower GPAs, higher levels of mental health issues and poorer health, in general.”80
Community college students are in varying stages of life and, as a result, obtain health coverage through a variety of means, including through employer-sponsored insurance, student health plans, their parents’ insurance, Medicaid, school health clinics, or the ACA marketplaces.81 Despite these options, significant coverage gaps persist. According to the 2019 American Community Survey, “adults between the ages of 19 and 34 have some of the highest uninsured rates (15.6% uninsured) of any other age group in the United States.”82 To further complicate the issue, while “most colleges require their students to carry some form of health insurance,” research highlights how “most basic needs centers do not currently focus on health insurance,” and as a result, many students may experience challenges both accessing and understanding the coverage options available to them.83
For those who are insured, the rising cost of health insurance presents an affordability barrier. As illustrated in a study by KFF: “The average annual health insurance premiums in 2024 are $8,951 for single coverage and $25,572 for family coverage. The average single coverage premium increased 6% in 2024 while the average family premium increased 7%. The average family premium has increased 24% since 2019 and 52% since 2014.”84 Additionally, overall health care costs have risen dramatically over the past few decades. According to research from the Peterson Center on Healthcare and KFF, “On a per capita basis, health spending has increased in the last five decades from $353 per year in 1970 to $14,570 per year in 2023.”85 This trend reflects the escalating financial burden on students, even when they are insured.
To address these challenges, some community colleges are developing no-cost or low-cost student health clinics on campus. For example, in 2024, Chattanooga State Community College in Tennessee opened the first on-campus student health clinic in the state. The center provides no-cost health care to insured and uninsured students ages 18 and older.86 Initiatives such as this demonstrate the potential for community colleges to fill gaps in coverage and improve health care access for their student populations.
Unfortunately, the recent passage of the OBBBA will make health insurance even more expensive and difficult to access for millions of Americans.87 It will do this by imposing new work requirements for Medicaid that will cause an estimated 8.7 million Americans to lose coverage.88 Congress’ failure to extend PTCs for marketplace plans will significantly increase premiums for millions of Americans—including young adults with low and modest incomes, likely pricing them out of coverage they can currently afford—in 2026.89 These changes will be devastating to community college students who rely on Medicaid and ACA marketplaces and may affect their ability to enroll in or complete college. Policymakers should reverse these harmful changes and instead look for ways to improve Medicaid and improve uptake among community college students.
Technology, books, and supplies
Access to reliable internet, digital devices, and course materials is essential for academic success in higher education, yet many students continue to face major gaps in these areas. In today’s learning environment, where most students take at least one online course and in-person classes require online submissions and online supplemental tools, a lack of adequate technology is a silent but significant barrier.90 Despite this reality, 17 percent of students report completing their schoolwork on devices other than a personal computer, including smartphones (5 percent), borrowed computers (8 percent), and public computers (2 percent).91 Meanwhile, 8 percent of students report they do not have reliable internet at home, and 12 percent regularly miss assignments or other academic activities due to technology limitations.92
Another financial pressure point is the high cost of course materials, particularly textbooks. For community college students, the cost of books and supplies, including course materials, was $1,520, compared with $1,290 for students at four-year institutions in the 2024-25 school year.93 While this is one of the smaller components of student budgets, it is a requisite one for enrolling in coursework, and each piece adds up in terms of costs.
Recommendations
The One Big Beautiful Bill Act is a devastating blow to social safety net programs such as Medicaid and SNAP, and the policy changes it enacts will exacerbate many of the problems discussed in this report. Policymakers should seek to protect these programs that serve as a lifeline for many low-income Americans and consider targeted ways to expand some of these programs to help more students enrolled at community colleges complete their programs and earn their degrees. Policymakers and institutions looking to help community college students succeed should consider the following options to reduce costs for students.
Remove barriers to allow postsecondary students to access federal housing programs
Congress should work to eliminate policies that make it harder for students to receive housing assistance and update housing policies to meet the needs of today’s students. Specifically, Congress should remove student-specific restrictions from HUD-funded programs and tax-credit housing, ensuring that enrollment in college does not disqualify otherwise eligible individuals from support. In addition, policymakers should rescind rules that count financial aid toward nontuition expenses as “income” for the purposes of calculating housing assistance eligibility. Such a provision serves to discourage students in low-income households from pursuing education for fear of putting their families’ housing assistance at risk.
Increase access to nutrition assistance programs such as SNAP for college students
SNAP provides food benefits to low-income families so they can afford groceries.94 Even as more than 1 in 8 families face food insecurity, the OBBBA cuts this crucial program by forcing states to shoulder a greater share of the costs and changing eligibility and paperwork requirements.95 These changes will make it even harder for community college students to access SNAP at a time when uptake rates are low. According to a 2024 GAO report, two-thirds of students who are likely eligible for SNAP benefits are not enrolled in the program.96 Improved access to SNAP could help alleviate the burden of food insecurity and help more students afford to attend college.
Students face more systemic barriers to accessing nutrition benefits under the current SNAP structure than other recipients: There are additional eligibility requirements for college students, such as being a parent, working a minimum of 20 hours per week, or having a disability, among other conditions.97 Federal action is needed to address this issue. Specifically, Congress should simplify eligibility requirements by recognizing enrollment in higher education as sufficient to meet SNAP activity and participation criteria. Doing so would put low-income students on par with other eligible adults and remove the additional restrictions. Instead, Congress has made it significantly more difficult for all people—students included—to access the food assistance they need.
In addition to policy changes at the federal level, increased outreach is essential. Many students may be unaware of their eligibility for SNAP or unsure how to navigate the application process. Institutions and public agencies could improve communication and outreach strategies to raise awareness about public benefits among college students. Moreover, policy reforms that streamline SNAP access and improve benefits outreach would significantly lower one of the most basic cost burdens community college students face: affording food. Students cannot learn on an empty stomach, and their ability to successfully complete programs and remain in school is lowered when their most basic needs are not being met. Such changes would work to ensure that all students have the resources they need to complete their education.
It is important to note that the OBBBA will make this situation more dire for students and shift the costs of benefits to states. This shift may mean that programs such as SNAP would have to compete with other existing or recommended supports for funding.
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Improve transportation options, particularly for students who commute to campus
To reduce this barrier, policymakers and local transit authorities should collaborate to extend public transportation routes to more campuses, particularly in areas that are underserved but within reach of existing networks. Federal and state transportation funding can be leveraged to create or subsidize transit passes for students in an effort to ease the financial burden of commuting. Additionally, colleges could explore targeted investments in campus shuttle programs or other ride-sharing partnerships to serve students with irregular schedules or limited access to other transportation options.
Improving transportation options is a necessary step toward reducing dropout rates, improving academic success, and ensuring equitable access to education for low-income and working students. Institutions could also offer a monthly transit subsidy or create a student transportation assistance fund that is managed by the institution’s financial aid or student services office. These funds could be used for public transit passes or expenses associated with a vehicle, such as repairs or mileage, to help defray the costs of transportation for commuter students.98
Moreover, institutions could develop a “last mile” shuttle service that connects students from a centralized pickup point in rural communities to campus. Regional pickup hubs could be established at key areas in the community, such as libraries or post offices.
Increase child care options for parenting students
Policymakers should respond with a multifaceted approach to meet the needs of student parents. Federal investments should prioritize expanding the CCAMPIS Program, which provides funding for campus-based child care for low-income students.99 Congress should also consider strengthening the child tax credit and ensure that it is accessible to student parents with limited or no taxable income.100 Policies that work to reduce the cost and complexity of child care will enable more student parents, especially women and students of color, to succeed in college and build stable futures for their families.
Increase availability of open-access course materials and allow students to opt out of course-material bundling
Many institutions use an automatic billing model, whereby textbook costs are added to tuition and fees by default, leaving students with little choice or control over how their financial aid is spent.101 A 2024 U.S. Department of Education rulemaking proposal aimed to reform this system by shifting to an “opt out” model.102 While this proposal was not adopted, policymakers may consider revisiting it to ensure that students have agency over their educational expenses. Additionally, expanding the use of open-access educational resources and other zero-cost textbook programs would serve to reduce costs systematically.
Extend the ACA’s enhanced PTCs to prevent health care costs from rising in 2026
The enhanced premium tax credits that improve affordability for marketplace coverage will expire at the end of 2025. As a result, millions of Americans will see their premiums skyrocket as much as 75 percent.103 While House Republicans rejected amendments to extend these credits in the OBBBA, Congress has another opportunity to extend them in the fiscal year 2026 appropriations cycle. A recent Center for American Progress analysis shows that young people with low incomes—particularly the demographic that is most likely to enroll in community colleges—would be hit hardest by premium increases.104 Extending these tax credits can help to ensure that community college students who do not receive their insurance through an employer, Medicaid, or a campus-based plan can continue to afford their health coverage.
Help community college students persist and graduate by funding grant programs that offer supportive services
The U.S. Department of Education already funds grants and programs aimed at improving postsecondary outcomes for students. A hallmark is the Postsecondary Student Success Grant (PSSG) Program, which uses data and other evidence-backed activities to “equitably improve postsecondary student outcomes, including retention, upward transfer, and completions of value.”105 These grants support colleges and programs to create, replicate, and institute efforts and proven strategies to increase college completion rates. Congress could further invest in the PSSG to enable institutions to enact these proven strategies to increase retention and completion among both students close to graduation and those who have paused their studies for various reasons.106
In addition, institutions can provide supportive services that assist students with the nontuition costs of their education. Some community colleges are offering services, such as on-site child care107 or transportation subsidies108 and partnerships with public transit,109 to alleviate these challenges to attendance and program completion. Some institutions are creating partnerships to provide affordable housing to their students,110 while others are leveraging existing public benefits to help students afford basic expenses.111 Institutions should examine the unique needs of their student populations and think creatively about which services would best support them and their success.
Make federal and state investments that lower the cost of community colleges for students
Federal financial assistance is critical to community college students despite their institutions’ low tuition and fees, especially given the rising costs of the nontuition portion of student budgets. In many cases, federal aid can cover tuition and fees, enabling students to attend public two-year colleges.
Pell Grants are the bedrock of need-based federal aid for postsecondary students from low- and middle-income families,112 and a sizable share of community college students receive them.113 Since many students rely on Pell Grants to attend programs, policymakers should increase funding for Pell Grants, index them to inflation, and fund them via mandatory spending. Mandatory spending programs are those that Congress is required to spend by law, as opposed to discretionary spending programs, which Congress approves annually through the appropriations process. Increasing the amount awarded for Pell Grants is critically important to better support access and affordability for higher education. Students also use their Pell Grant dollars for non-tuition costs when they exceed the cost of tuition, and this is particularly salient for community college students, as students can use this funding to help pay for books, technology, and other materials. Of concern, the Pell Grant is currently projected to face a spending shortfall this year.114 To protect this important program, policymakers should address the shortfall before harmful eligibility or award cuts are made.
See also
Moreover, states and local governments should continue to expand free community college programs. At the state and local levels, more than half of states now have some version of free community college.115 Expanding access to community college for more students will grow the workforce and train students for new opportunities in the labor market. State and local policymakers should look to their counterparts that are offering such programs to see if expansions in their states would be feasible.
Additionally, students may be able to attend community college tuition free through a College Promise program116 or could qualify for other forms of aid,117 which are other vehicles to make postsecondary education more affordable and accessible.
Conclusion
All facets of society benefit from Americans having access to affordable postsecondary education, which can be a pathway to the middle class that creates a well-trained and highly educated workforce. Congress should increase funding for various agency programs that benefit community colleges and postsecondary education, especially as community college students face growing costs of living. Federal and state governments should take note and increase financial assistance, and institutions should provide supports for nontuition costs that may be inhibiting student success.
It is important to note that recent unprecedented staff cuts to the U.S. Department of Education affect many of the programs and services that community colleges and their students rely on and may lead to delays that could interrupt a student’s journey to graduation. The staff cuts also may result in a halt to investments made in community colleges and the students they serve, ultimately lessening the positive impact students would have had on the economy across the board. Such staff cuts undermine the full ability of the department to serve students and workers.118
Acknowledgments
The authors would like to thank Sophia Applegate, Lily Roberts, and Natasha Murphy at the Center for American Progress for their valuable feedback and contributions to this report.