Washington D.C. — Today, the Center for American Progress released a report calling on the Biden administration, Congress, and the Department of Education to take bold action that will help ensure students have access to an affordable and high-quality college education after the president moves forward with any plans to cancel student debt.
A snapshot of the recommendations in the report include:
- Increasing grant aid by calling on Congress to double the Pell Grant and invest in other federal programs.
- Controlling the skyrocketing costs of higher education by urging both the Biden administration and Congress to consider policies that would make at least two years of college universal or free for eligible students attending community colleges, historically Black colleges and universities, tribal colleges and universities, and other minority-serving institutions.
- Implementing strong institutional accountability measures by urging the Department of Education to use tools at its disposal paired with Congress passing legislation to strengthen the accountability system.
“The discussion around debt cancellation has exposed major underlying problems in the higher education system and can reignite the focus on how to address these issues long term. In this moment, government can save current and future generations from another student debt crisis. Now is the time to take action, and Biden canceling student debt is just the first step; the federal government must systematically overhaul the student loan system,” says Jared Bass, senior director for Higher Education and author of the report.
Read the report here: “After President Biden Cancels Student Debt” by Jared C. Bass
For more information on this topic or to speak with an expert, please contact Sarah Nadeau at [email protected].