Higher Education Policy

CAP Urges the Department of Education To Protect Access to Graduate Degrees and Lower Costs for Student Loan Borrowers

New Trump administration student loan policies will make postsecondary education more expensive and create new barriers for students seeking to earn graduate degrees.

Putting Students Before Politics: A Conversation on the Future of America’s Education System With Rahm Emanuel

Please join the Center for American Progress for a conversation with Ambassador Rahm Emanuel as part of CAP’s “What’s Next: Conversations on the Path Forward” series.

Moving Federal Education Programs Will Create More Bureaucracy, Not Less

The Trump administration is unlawfully using interagency agreements to continue its piecemeal dismantling of the Department of Education.

How University Governing Boards Can Protect the Independence of Colleges and Universities

Shifting toward merit-based selection of public university board members can better protect academic freedom than politically appointed boards, which have increasingly exerted influence over state colleges and universities in recent years.

CAP Comments on Regulations for New Loan Limits, Repayment Plans, and Program Accountability Metrics

The Center for American Progress submitted comments to the Department of Education recommending measures to protect student loan borrowers and strengthen the quality of postsecondary programs.

Trump’s ‘Compact’ With Colleges Will Put University Presidents in Legal Jeopardy

The White House’s proposed Compact for Academic Excellence in Higher Education is unconstitutional, unlawful, and will put universities and their administrators at direct risk from a politicized Justice Department.

Bolstering the Role of HBCUs in Federal Research and Development

Equitable R&D funding is key to unleashing HBCUs’ wellspring of innovation to improve America’s health, economic growth, and national security.

The State of Online Higher Education in 2025

Join the Center for American Progress to discuss the current challenges in monitoring and regulating online higher education.

Recent Trends in the Cost of College Show the Continued Importance of Federal and State Investment

A federal-state partnership can help bring down the cost of college for students, who today shoulder a greater share of the burden of financing postsecondary education than in previous generations, despite recent gains in college affordability.

State Fact Sheets: How the Trump Administration and Congressional Republicans Are Increasing Costs for American Families

This series of fact sheets provides insights into how the OBBBA and the administration’s policies will increase the costs of health care, food, energy, and borrowing in each state in the near future.

The Full Cost of Attendance: Addressing Housing, Food, and Other Barriers to Community College Student Success

Although community colleges offer low tuition, students still face steep costs for essentials such as housing, food, transportation, child care, and supplies—barriers that policymakers must address to make college truly affordable.

10 Egregious Things You May Not Know About the One Big Beautiful Bill Act

Congressional Republicans’ radical budget and tax bill includes several less-known provisions that will increase costs, fuel the Trump administration’s overreach, and waste taxpayer dollars.

Missouri Families’ Cost of Living Would Increase Under House Republicans’ One Big Beautiful Bill Act

Proposed cuts to vital programs would threaten Missouri families’ budgets and access to necessities.

Alaska Families’ Cost of Living Would Increase Under House Republicans’ One Big Beautiful Bill Act

Proposed cuts to vital programs would threaten Alaska families’ budgets and access to necessities.

Maine Families’ Cost of Living Would Increase Under House Republicans’ One Big Beautiful Bill Act

Proposed cuts to vital programs would threaten Maine families’ budgets and access to necessities.

North Carolina Families’ Cost of Living Would Increase Under House Republicans’ One Big Beautiful Bill Act

Proposed cuts to vital programs would threaten North Carolina families’ budgets and access to necessities.

Iowa Families’ Cost of Living Would Increase Under House Republicans’ One Big Beautiful Bill Act

Proposed cuts to vital programs would threaten Iowa families’ budgets and access to necessities.

Kansas Families’ Cost of Living Would Increase Under House Republicans’ One Big Beautiful Bill Act

Proposed cuts to vital programs would threaten Kansas families’ budgets and access to necessities.

Pennsylvania Families’ Cost of Living Would Increase Under House Republicans’ One Big Beautiful Bill Act

Proposed cuts to vital programs would threaten Pennsylvania families’ budgets and access to necessities.

Utah Families’ Cost of Living Would Increase Under House Republicans’ One Big Beautiful Bill Act

Proposed cuts to vital programs would threaten Utah families’ budgets and access to necessities.

North Dakota Families’ Cost of Living Would Increase Under House Republicans’ One Big Beautiful Bill Act

Proposed cuts to vital programs would threaten North Dakota families’ budgets and access to necessities.

West Virginia Families’ Cost of Living Would Increase Under House Republicans’ One Big Beautiful Bill Act

Proposed cuts to vital programs would threaten West Virginia families’ budgets and access to necessities.

South Dakota Families’ Cost of Living Would Increase Under House Republicans’ One Big Beautiful Bill Act

Proposed cuts to vital programs would threaten South Dakota families’ budgets and access to necessities.

Louisiana Families’ Cost of Living Would Increase Under House Republicans’ One Big Beautiful Bill Act

Proposed cuts to vital programs would threaten Louisiana families’ budgets and access to necessities.

Fact Sheet: 5 Ways Community Colleges Spur Workforce Development

Community colleges support and drive workforce development to foster a more skilled and competitive American labor force.

5 Ways Community Colleges Drive Workforce Development

Community colleges play a vital role in workforce development by offering accessible education, aligning programs with industry needs, providing upskilling opportunities, fostering local partnerships, and supporting lifelong learning for diverse populations.

Congressional Republicans’ Proposed Budget Reconciliation Bill Imperils 4.4 Million Pell Grant Recipients

Proposed changes to Pell Grant eligibility could mean nearly two out of three recipients could lose some or all their federal grant aid and incur up to an additional total of $7,400 for a bachelor’s degree and $3,700 for an associate degree.

Betraying veterans on education: Congress is opening the gates for predators to profit

In an op-ed published by Stars and Stripes, Madison Weiss explains how congressional Republicans' plan to eliminate the 90/10 rule would open the door to deceptive college marketing schemes that target veterans.

Cuts to Department of Education’s Office of Federal Student Aid Will Leave Students and Borrowers Worse Off

The Department of Education’s latest workforce cuts, coupled with the executive order calling for the closure of the department, undermine its ability to meet legal obligations and effectively serve students and borrowers.

What Will Happen to Your Student Loans if Trump Closes the Department of Education?

In an op-ed published by Teen Vogue, Stephanie Hall outlines what student loan borrowers can expect if the Trump administration successfully shutters the U.S. Department of Education.

Proposed Legislation Threatens To Raise Costs for Student Borrowers and Dismantle Consumer Protections

As the 119th Congress takes shape, several proposed higher education policies would roll back key consumer protection regulations and make damaging changes to the financial aid system, hurting students, taxpayers, and colleges.

Reorienting Colleges Toward Student-Centered Practices

Colleges, universities, and policymakers can draw lessons from the evolution of patient-centered care in the health care system to create a more responsive and inclusive higher education system.

CAP Comment on Student Debt Relief for Borrowers Experiencing Hardship

A comment letter submitted to the U.S. Department of Education argues that proposed regulations to deliver relief to student loan borrowers experiencing hardship are urgent and necessary.

Letter to Under Secretary James Kvaal Regarding the Incentive Compensation Ban

Along with other student, consumer, and labor advocates, the Center for American Progress sent a letter calling on the Department of Education to close a loophole in the federal ban on incentive compensation.

A Progressive Vision for Education in the 21st Century

This report encompasses key recommendations for strengthening the American education system across early childhood education, K-12 education, higher education, and workforce development.

Veterans face hidden dangers in online learning

In an op-ed published by Stars and Stripes, Stephanie Hall and co-author William Hubbard explain how the third-party contractors who manage virtual higher education programs take advantage of prospective students and can even undermine their GI Bill of Rights benefits.

Tracker: Student Loan Debt Relief Under the Biden-Harris Administration

The Biden-Harris administration has delivered historic levels of student debt relief by fixing broken programs and fulfilling promises to borrowers who had been left behind.

Investing in GEAR UP To Advance College and Career Readiness: Pathways to Success

Access to higher education remains strongly divided by race and socioeconomic status; programs such as GEAR UP that increase college readiness and enrollment for underrepresented groups are more important than ever.

New Student Debt Relief Policies Fix Broken Promises and Benefit Borrowers Most in Need

The Biden-Harris administration proposed new regulations that would bring the share of student loan borrowers across the country who receive full or partial relief to about 3 in 4, targeting those who are the most likely to struggle repaying their debt.

Project 2025 Would Increase Costs, Block Debt Cancellation for Student Loan Borrowers

The radical Project 2025 policy agenda for student loan repayment would multiply costs for borrowers, increase defaults, and end existing programs that allow borrowers to earn cancellation.

Making State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements in Higher Education Work for Students

Distance education agreements should align with the needs of students, states, and institutions—in that order.

Summit on Education: Reset. Reframe. Reform.

2024 Summit on Education: Reset. Reframe. Reform.

6 Key Findings To Inform New Federal Policies To Relieve Student Loan Debt

Longitudinal survey data show that student loan borrowers of all degree levels experience various forms of financial hardship, which new student loan debt relief policies should work to alleviate.

Transforming Accreditation by Centering Students

Negotiators coming together to revise the regulations that govern college accreditation should take a student-centered approach.

Opinion: Policymakers must strengthen — not dismantle — the college accreditation system

Madison Weiss writes in Higher Ed Dive about the need to strengthen the accreditation process for higher education institutions.

CAP Comment Urges the U.S. Secretary of Education To Protect Student Interests Amid Potential Online Program Manager Concerns

The Center for American Progress submitted a comment letter to the U.S. Secretary of Education highlighting concerns about the online program manager industry.

CAP Comment Urges NACIQI To Increase Transparency and Accountability in the Accreditation Space

The Center for American Progress submitted a comment letter emphasizing the need for the National Advisory Committee on Institutional Quality and Integrity’s continued review of and recommendations on accreditation agencies.

Comment to Middle States Commission on Higher Education Regarding Third-Party Providers Policy and Procedures

This public comment, submitted by the Center for American Progress, asks the Middle States Council on Higher Education to clarify its proposed policy for reviewing its member institutions' arrangements with third-party providers.

House Republican Budget Threatens Public Education and Opportunity for Young People

House Republican leadership’s proposed funding bill would vastly cut support for economically disadvantaged students and eliminate important programs in the K-12 education, youth workforce development, and higher education spheres.

2023 CAP IDEAS Conference

Join the Center for American Progress as we celebrate 20 years of innovative policy solutions and look boldly forward to a progressive future.

What’s Next for Student Loan Borrowers?

After the U.S. Supreme Court struck down President Biden’s plan to cancel up to $20,000 in student loan debt per borrower in June 2023, the Biden-Harris administration is working hard to deliver relief to student loan borrowers.

The Future of Student Debt Relief: What To Expect Next

With the student loan payment pause ending in September 2023, this column helps to answer questions borrowers may have about what the Biden-Harris administration is doing to pursue debt relief and what to expect in the upcoming negotiated rulemaking that will take place from October through December 2023.

A Conversation With Catherine E. Lhamon, Assistant Secretary for the Office for Civil Rights at the U.S. Department of Education

Please join the Center for American Progress to explore the importance of nondiscrimination in education, especially in America’s colleges and universities.

The 2023 Farm Bill Must Address Inequities in the Land-Grant University System

Despite the wide-ranging contributions that HBCUs and Tribal colleges have made to agriculture and conservation, these institutions receive fewer research and extension opportunities than their predominantly white peers.

The Tortured Path of the Gainful Employment Rule

As the U.S. Department of Education prepares to publish its final gainful employment rule, learn more about the history of this key consumer safeguard meant to eliminate the worst actors before multitudes of students fall prey to poor practices.

An Overlooked Financial Aid Tool Can Help More Adults Reach College

The Ability to Benefit provision for federal financial aid is underutilized but has great potential to increase educational attainment among adults without high school diplomas.

Funding for Federal Student Aid: A Defining Moment for Higher Education Programs

Jared C. Bass, senior director for Higher Education at the Center for American Progress, testified before the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education on the importance of funding for the Office of Federal Student Aid.

CAP’s Comment on the Request for Information Regarding Public Transparency on the Low-Financial-Value Postsecondary Programs List

In a comment letter submitted to the U.S. Department of Education, Madison Weiss provides recommendations on the low-financial-value postsecondary programs list.

CAP’s Comment on the Income-Driven Repayment Regulation

In a comment letter submitted to the U.S. Department of Education, Bradley D. Custer discusses income-driven repayment regulation and the need for a student loan repayment system with a functional safety net.

At Navajo Technical University, a World-Class Laboratory Is Building Native American Manufacturing Capacity

In the third and final installment in a series on Tribal colleges and universities (TCUs), the Center for American Progress and American Indian College Fund examine how a Tribal university in New Mexico is creating engineering and advanced manufacturing career opportunities on the rural Navajo Nation.

A Minnesota Tribal College Teaches Law Enforcement in Effort To Put More Native Americans ‘Behind the Badge’

In the second installment in a three-part series on Tribal colleges and universities (TCUs), the Center for American Progress and American Indian College Fund look at Leech Lake Tribal College’s law enforcement degree program and the college’s work on cultural revitalization and basic needs insecurity.

3 Ways the Biden Administration Protected Students and Borrowers in 2022

The U.S. Department of Education’s final rules on borrower defense to repayment, closed school discharge, and false certification will help protect students and taxpayers from predatory institutions.

CAP’s Comment on Accessing President Biden’s Debt Relief Plan and the Education Department’s Fresh Start Initiative

This coalition letter, led by the Center for American Progress, asks the U.S. Department of Education to work closely with the U.S. Department of Justice to distribute information about student loan debt relief to incarcerated student loan borrowers.

For Native Americans, Tribal Colleges Tackle the ‘Present-Day Work of Our Ancestors’

In the first installment in a series on Tribal colleges and universities (TCUs), the Center for American Progress and American Indian College Fund explore the essential role TCUs play in their communities and why investing in them should be a priority for policymakers.

The Supreme Court Censoring History and Race Would Be a Mistake

Race-conscious remedies, such as voting rights protections and affirmative action in college admissions, are supported by the Constitution, are a part of American history, and are essential to equal opportunity.

After We Cancel the Debt

The Future of Higher Education in a Post-Debt Cancellation United States

Now that student debt is canceled, can we address its root causes?

Jared Bass discusses what the U.S. Congress must do next to address the root causes of the student debt crisis.

Point: Canceling Student Debt Is One of Many Steps Needed to Restore the Promise of Higher Education

Jared Bass discusses why President Joe Biden’s student debt cancellation plan was a meaningful step in what should be a broader mission of upholding the promise of higher education.

3 Things to Know Now that President Biden Has Canceled At Least $10,000 in Student Debt

Student debt cancellation is a bold step for the higher education system—and one that will benefit a wide cross-section of people and communities throughout the country.

CAP’s Comment on the Prison Education Program Regulation

Bradly D. Custer submitted a comment letter to the U.S. Department of Education on the Prison Education Program regulation.

5 Things To Know About Debt Cancellation

Student debt cancellation would help people of all ages, reduce the racial wealth gap, and help borrowers weather turmoil in the student loan system.

CAP’s Comment on the Borrower Defense and Closed School Discharge Regulations

Madison Weiss and Loren Welles submitted a comment letter to the U.S. Department of Education on the borrower defense and closed school discharge regulations.

CAP’s Comment on the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program Regulation

Eileen Powell submitted a comment letter to the U.S. Department of Education on the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program.

Timeline: Federal Student Loans During the COVID-19 Pandemic

This article presents a timeline of recent events related to student loans and takes a look at what’s to come for student loan borrowers.

After President Biden Cancels Student Debt

Meeting the urgency of the college affordability and student debt crisis will require bold action to restore the promise of opportunity for all Americans.

There’s a dire shortage of nurses across the US. There’s also an overlooked solution

Marcella Bombardieri and Marina Zhavoronkova outline several steps that lawmakers can take to address the nursing shortage in the United States.

How the US Department of Education Can Fix Damaging Accreditation Regulations

The Biden administration must work to limit the harm of accreditation regulations rolled out under former Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos.

Video: How To Ease the U.S. Nursing Shortage

The nursing profession is critical to the health of the country and the economic security of millions of workers. This video shows how the nation can support its nurses.

How To Ease the Nursing Shortage in America

The COVID-19 pandemic worsened a national shortage of registered nurses, making it increasingly urgent that policymakers invest in higher education, coordinate strategies to alleviate the pressures on the nursing workforce, and make the entire health care system more equitable and stable.

Fact Sheet: Easing the American Nursing Shortage

Major investments of federal funding and sustained coordination are needed to mitigate the impact of nursing shortages and improve the nation’s ability to improve the health care system.

How Colleges and Universities Can Bring Pell Grant-Funded Programs Back to Prisons

A new process from the U.S. Department of Education outlines how higher education institutions can receive approval to offer Pell Grant-funded programs to incarcerated students.

The Case for a Longer Student Loan Repayment Pause

The Biden administration is making important changes to protect student loan borrowers, but there is still more work to do.

The United States Must Support HBCUs and Opportunity for Black College Students

The recent rash of bomb threats against historically Black colleges and universities is just one of the numerous signs that America is at risk of winding the clock backward when it comes to opportunities for Black students in higher education.

The National Advisory Committee on Institutional Quality and Integrity: Overview and Resources

This page contains facts and resources about the role the National Advisory Committee on Institutional Quality and Integrity plays within the accreditation system.

Fact Sheet: Holding Higher Education Accountable in Federal-State Partnerships

This fact sheet outlines key findings and questions for using performance contracts in federal-state partnerships for higher education.

Holding Higher Education Accountable in Federal-State Partnerships

Colorado’s experiment with performance contracts in the College Opportunity Fund offers insights into how performance contracts could be used for accountability in federal-state partnership proposals for higher education.

Q&A With CAP’s New Senior Vice President for Education, Jesse O’Connell

Jesse O'Connell, the new senior vice president for Education at the Center for American Progress, talks about the opportunities this moment offers to improve early childhood, K-12, and higher education in the United States.

Comment on FR Doc # 2021-15831

Bradley D. Custer and Ella Azoulay submitted a comment letter to the U.S. Department of Education on the administration of the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program.

4 Key Steps to Support Justice-Impacted Students

Eddie Phillips Jr. and Bradley D. Custer outline four steps that would enable community college leaders to meet the needs of justice-impacted students.

4 Ways the Federal Government Can Improve College Campus Safety in States With Lax Gun Laws

As more states pass campus carry laws, Congress and the Biden administration should intervene to protect college students and employees from gun violence.

Comment on FR Doc # 2021-11120 (“Negotiated Rulemaking Committee; Public Hearings”)

CAP's Higher Education team worked with Generation Progress to write a comment letter to the Office of Postsecondary Education on its intent to establish negotiated rule-making committees.

Expanding Access to Higher Education and the Promise It Holds

Marshall Anthony Jr., senior policy analyst for Higher Education at the Center for American Progress, testified on the importance of expanding access to higher education before the House Ways and Means Committee on June 29, 2021.

How a College Accrediting Agency Failed To Protect Students From a Decade of Fraud

For 13 years, an accrediting agency raised concerns about operations at a group of corporate-owned colleges, but it failed to take decisive action to stop the company’s waste and abuse.

Why Policymakers in Georgia and Indiana Barred Incarcerated College Students from State Financial Aid

Author Bradley D. Custer examines case studies in Georgia and Indiana, where incarcerated students were barred from receiving state financial aid.

3 Ways the Biden Administration Can Give Second Chances to Justice-Impacted College Students

The Biden administration should improve policies around admissions, financial aid, and housing to ensure that people with criminal records have fair opportunities to pursue a college education.

Covid-19 changed education in America — permanently

Marcella Bombardieri explains how the COVID-19 pandemic has permanently changed education in the United States.

Building a College-Educated America Requires Closing Racial Gaps in Attainment

Half of young adults have earned a college degree, yet large and persistent racial equity gaps remain.

American Rescue Plan Could Help Prevent State Public Higher Education Cuts

States cut funding for public higher education by $1.9 billion this year; they must take advantage of state and local aid in the latest stimulus bill to avoid budget cuts next year.

ACICS Must Be Stripped of its Federal Recognition for Good

This timeline shows how a failing agency has remained a gatekeeper to federal financial aid dollars.

The History of Denying Federal Financial Aid to System-Impacted Students

Bradley D. Custer writes about the historical context of denying system-impacted students access to federal financial aid.

What the Biden Administration Can Do Now To Make College More Affordable, Accountable, and Racially Just

The pandemic has increased the urgency of reforming higher education and undoing the damage of the Trump years.

6 Actions Congress Should Take on Higher Education in 2021

The need for higher education reform has never been greater—here’s how Congress can take action.

Community colleges have a big local impact — they deserve local funding

Author Marcella Bombardieri explains how community colleges—which largely serve low- and middle-income students—have been weakened by years of underfunding and argues that they need local funding.

The State of Higher Education Spending From the CARES Act

While students have received most of the emergency funds set aside for them, institutions must spend down funds from other sources.

Being A Good College Student: The History of Good Moral Character Rules in State Financial Aid Programs, 1850 to Now

Bradley D. Custer writes about state financial aid programs' good moral character rules.

Congress’ Down Payment on Higher Education’s 2021 Needs

A summary of key policy changes and funding in the fiscal year 2021 omnibus budget and coronavirus relief package.

Federal Financial Aid for College Students With Criminal Convictions

A timeline from the 1960s to the present shows that college students with criminal convictions have lost more access to financial aid than they have gained.

3 Ways Congress Can Support Adult Students During COVID-19

The coronavirus pandemic is exacerbating the challenges facing higher education’s overlooked majority and underscores the need for more financial aid and access to technology.

Hispanic-Serving Institutions Need $1 Billion More in Federal Funding

Congress should invest $1 billion in Hispanic-serving institutions to improve racial equity and payoff for a fast-growing population.

California Is Not a Bellwether on Affirmative Action

The November 3 results for Proposition 16 underscore the need for a clear message, adequate time and resources, and voter persuasion.

5 Policies the Biden-Harris Administration Must Tackle To Protect College Students

The incoming Biden-Harris administration has much work ahead to ensure that students are protected in this time of uncertainty.

The $78 Billion Reason Why Community Colleges Need America’s Attention

Nationally, community colleges receive $78 billion less in revenue than public four-year institutions, leading to disparate outcomes among their student populations.

Tapping Local Support To Strengthen Community Colleges

Expanding local appropriations could help provide the resources that community colleges need to boost social mobility in their regions.

The Trump Administration Has Set Up Students To Be Harmed by Unscrupulous Colleges During This Recession

Too many institutions took advantage of students in the last recession—and as another downturn deepens, accountability is in shreds.

Now Is the Time To Fix Cohort Default Rates

Due to the pandemic, colleges likely won’t be held accountable for borrower outcomes for several years; policymakers should use this as an opportunity to fix the system.

5 Interesting Ways Governors Are Spending CARES Act GEER Funds on Higher Education

Several states stand out for their plans to spend COVID-19 emergency relief aid on supporting vulnerable students and institutions.

District Boundaries Affect Racial Representation at Michigan Community Colleges

A new approach to studying racial representation at community colleges uncovers inequities for Black students.

The Looming Student Loan Servicing Crisis

The Trump administration’s inability to complete a new student loan servicing competition has set 33 million borrowers up for potential disaster next year.

The $78 Billion Community College Funding Shortfall

A closer look at the revenue gaps between community colleges and public four-year institutions reveals significant inequities and underscores the need for reform.

It’s Time to Worry About College Enrollment Declines Among Black Students

The past five years of public college enrollment trends show an overall decline in undergraduate enrollment; but there are distinct differences across student populations.

Eliminating the Pennsylvania Rule That Bars Incarcerated Students From Getting Financial Aid

In Pennsylvania, the good moral character rule blocks thousands of people in prison from getting state financial aid for college, and now is the time to eliminate it.

Higher Education Advocates Urge Congress to Equitably Fund Community Colleges in Federal Stimulus Legislation

With two-year public colleges facing a severe funding crisis, the Center for American Progress and other higher education advocates have signed on to a letter urging Congress to equitably fund community colleges in federal stimulus legislation.

Among Forests and Bayous, a Fledgling College and Fragile Dreams

The story of central Louisiana’s new community college holds lessons on improving opportunity in rural America—lessons that should help guide leaders responding to the economic toll of the coronavirus pandemic.

The best route for moving up is in danger of being blocked

Through the lens of a community college student in rural Louisiana, Marcella Bombardieri describes why Congress must invest sufficiently in public colleges amid the coronavirus pandemic.

4 Actions Colleges Can Take To Address Police Brutality

Postsecondary institutions must take immediate action to help address the issue of police brutality.

How Much Money Each College Can Receive From the CARES Act

Download a spreadsheet to see how much funding each U.S. college can receive through the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act, by institution type, state, and other groupings.

How Betsy DeVos Failed Colleges and Students in Implementing the CARES Act

Nearly three months after Congress directed billions of dollars to higher education in response to the coronavirus, Education Department decisions have created uncertainty for colleges and prevented potentially thousands of students from receiving relief.

3 Steps Needed To Protect College Students in the Wake of the Coronavirus Pandemic

Twenty-two organizations urge college accrediting agencies to increase oversight of colleges and address increasing risks to students as a result of the coronavirus.

Mounting Peril for Public Higher Education During the Coronavirus Pandemic

Absent federal action, state budget cuts are about to add to colleges’ pain from the pandemic.

The Coronavirus Pandemic Isn’t the Time To Abandon Financial Accountability for Private Colleges

Colleges call for a three-year free pass because of the coronavirus crisis, but monitoring their financial health is more important than ever.

The Navajo Nation’s Diné College Faces the Worst Coronavirus Outbreak in the Country

Amid an ongoing pandemic and a legacy of neglect, a college president tries to keep his students’ dreams alive. Congress must help.

‘If You Had a Need, You Got Help’: A Community College President’s Approach Towards Coronavirus

Author Marcella Bombardieri interviews Russell Lowery-Hart, the president of a community college in Amarillo, Texas, about what challenges students in poverty are facing during the coronavirus pandemic and how colleges are trying to help.

Fact Sheet: Improving the Formula for Federal Higher Education Coronavirus Funding

Recommendations for how to make the higher education formula in the CARES Act more equitable and drive more dollars to public institutions.

A Better Formula for Higher Education’s Federal Coronavirus Funding

This issue brief provides options for ensuring that the formula for distributing relief funds to colleges does a better job of prioritizing those who need them most.

Undocumented Students Generated Up to $132 Million in Relief to Colleges—But They Won’t Receive a Dime From the Stimulus

The federal government’s decision to exclude undocumented college students from receiving emergency aid is ungrounded in the CARES Act.

Stanford University Can Help More Students by Donating CARES Act Aid to Community Colleges

Stanford University had good intentions in rejecting its CARES Act emergency funds, but a better way to help students would be to donate that money to area community colleges.

College Signing Day and the Coronavirus: Improving College Admissions During the Pandemic

Colleges are supporting students by deferring deadlines, waiving fees, and making standardized tests optional.

An Investment for Generations: A Q&A on Advancing Equity in Higher Education Amid the Coronavirus Pandemic

Student affairs leaders at California State University, Dominguez Hills, highlight challenges that students and colleges are facing during the coronavirus pandemic—and explain how policymakers can help them persevere.

Congress Needs To Ensure Educational Equity in the Wake of the Coronavirus Pandemic

The federal government must take action in order to address the immediate-, medium-, and long-term fallout from the coronavirus crisis on pre-K, K-12 and higher education.

The Senate Stimulus Proposal in Response to Coronavirus Fails to Meet the Moment

The Senate’s coronavirus stimulus bill doesn’t do nearly enough to help families and small businesses.

The Accreditation Reform Act of 2020

A new proposal from the House Committee on Education and Labor strengthens guardrails across the higher education system and puts students and taxpayers over special interests.

Trump’s Latest Budget Proposal Would Deepen the Student Debt Crisis

The White House has proposed billions of dollars in cuts to supports for college students.

An Elite College Has Dropped Legacy Admissions—It’s Time for Other Higher Education Institutions To Do the Same

Legacy admissions policies have racist origins and continue to exclude underrepresented students of color.

Massachusetts excels at higher education — for the white and well-off

Although Massachusetts is the most educated state in the country, author Marcella Bombardieri explains why the state's higher education system works primarily for white, well-off students while leaving Black, Latino, and low-income undergraduates behind.

Black and Latinx Students Are Getting Less Bang for Their Bachelor’s Degrees

Black and Latinx students who earn bachelor’s degrees take longer to graduate, earn more debt, and face more employment challenges than white peers.

Fixing Graduate School Debt

This fact sheet considers accountability-based policy solutions through an equity lens to bring down graduate debt levels.

Graduate School Debt

Policymakers cannot keep looking past the 40 percent of federal student loans that are used for graduate studies each year.

What It Looks Like To Be Hungry in College

A new study offers insight into the experiences of college students grappling with food insecurity.

Betsy DeVos’ Cruel Math Denies Relief to Defrauded Borrowers

A new Department of Education formula uses bad statistics and an even worse methodology to deny major relief to defrauded borrowers.

What To Make of Declining Enrollment in Teacher Preparation Programs

Enrollment in teacher preparation programs has seen declines, but identifying the problem is only the beginning.

The Continued Student Loan Crisis for Black Borrowers

New federal data shows high default rates for newer borrowers despite increased use of income-driven repayment plans.

Early Decision Harms Students of Color and Low-Income Students

Early decision policies at colleges and universities favor wealthy families and create additional barriers for marginalized communities.

Closing a Major Loophole in Default Rate Accountability

The recently proposed College Affordability Act can help to hold colleges accountable when students default on their loans.

The College Affordability Act Makes Major Improvements to Quality Oversight of Colleges

What you need to know about changes to accreditation.

The Value of an On-Time Repayment Rate

The recently proposed College Affordability Act includes a new measure for holding colleges accountable if borrowers struggle with their student loan debt.

Restoring the Promise of Higher Education

The House’s Higher Education Act reauthorization bill would create a more equitable, affordable, and accountable higher education system.

What Graduation Rates Have Missed for Community College Students

New Outcome Measures data show that more community college students transfer schools before they graduate.

5 Reasons to Support Affirmative Action in College Admissions

Race-conscious admissions practices remain necessary in the fight for racial equity in higher education.

How to fix education’s racial inequities, one tweak at a time

Marcella Bombardieri discusses how changes at Pasadena City College are having a positive impact on minority students.

The Challenge of Running the Office of Federal Student Aid ‘More Like a Business’

Letting a government office operate like a private company sounds great in theory but has lots of trade-offs and complications in practice.

The Unwatched Watchdogs

The Department of Education must strengthen its oversight over accrediting agencies to ensure that they are keeping low-quality educational providers from accessing federal financial aid.

The Long Path to a New Student Loan Repayment System

Why has it taken six years, a dozen solicitations, countless industry protests, and two administrations to improve how borrowers repay their debt?

3 Ways Federal Financial Aid Could Work Better for Student-Parents

More than one-fifth of U.S. college students have children; it’s time for financial aid to better recognize their challenges.

How Delaware Aims To Improve College Readiness

Every state serious about improving outcomes for high school and college students should replicate the lessons learned from Delaware’s College Success Report.

Addressing Racial Trauma and Hate Crimes on College Campuses

Universities must address stark racial inequities within university counseling centers.

Predatory For-Profit Colleges Benefit From Washington’s Culture of Corruption

Predatory for-profit colleges are getting a boost from President Trump’s culture of corruption. With help from high-placed insiders and campaign donations, bad actors are poised to harm vulnerable students once again.

Affordability Principles for Reauthorizing the Higher Education Act

Policymakers must strengthen the Pell Grant, create a federal-state partnership, and better protect loan borrowers.

Student Debt: An Overlooked Barrier to Increasing Teacher Diversity

Black and Latinx students’ disparate experiences with student loan debt compared with their white counterparts may affect their choice to enter or stay in the teaching profession.

Those Left Behind

In order to afford all Americans access to higher education, policymakers must recognize how geography and race affect students’ attainment of postsecondary degrees.

To Begin Solving Student Debt, the Education Department Must Factor In Race and Ethnicity

Higher education is failing many borrowers of color, and identifying solutions will require collecting better data.

Addressing the $1.5 Trillion in Federal Student Loan Debt

Efforts to address college affordability must be paired with solutions for individuals who already have student loan debt.

Bolstering the Public Voice in Accreditation

Federal law requires college accreditation agencies to include public representation on their boards, but too often, these commissioners lack backgrounds sufficiently independent of the colleges they oversee.

3 Ways DeVos Has Put Students At Risk by Deregulating Education

The public and Congress need to pay more attention to Education Secretary Betsy DeVos’ deregulatory strategy for education.

The Rigor of a High School Diploma Is at Risk

States must take legislative action in order to ensure that the coursework to receive a high school diploma is the same for college admissions eligibility.

Ensuring Accountability and Effectiveness at the Office of Federal Student Aid

The Office of Federal Student Aid has the ability to run more like a private business; here’s what that means for its effectiveness and outcomes.

Congress Should Repeal the Ban on Pell Grants

Congress has the opportunity to repeal the ban on Pell Grants and breathe fresh air into higher education programs inside of state and federal prisons.

How the Trump Administration Is Undoing College Accreditation

Regulatory changes would weaken the ability of accreditors to serve as watchdogs over colleges and remove mechanisms to hold accreditors responsible for oversight.

Equity Audits: A Tool for Campus Improvement

Newly proposed legislation will help colleges identify ways to better serve students of all backgrounds.

The Madness Doesn’t End in March

Big-time college sports distort the reality of black male students’ experience on college campuses, so much so that black male athletes represent a sizable chunk of black men in Power Five schools.

Standing Up for America’s Students

The PROTECT Students Act would increase consumer protections for students and improve oversight of higher education.

College Executives Need to Pay Up When Their Schools Close Abruptly

Leaving students in the lurch should come with a cost for the leaders of colleges.

How Congress Can Fix Student Loan Repayment

Congress should use the likely reauthorization of the Higher Education Act to codify standards for student loan servicing and improve the system for borrowers.

New Insights Into Attainment for Low-Income Students

Surprising new data show that part-time Pell Grant recipients are doing better than their peers, but four-year colleges are not serving Pell students well.

A Quality Guarantee for Today’s Students: Recommendations to Improve College Accreditation

In the next reauthorization of the Higher Education Act, Congress should take action to improve the U.S. college accreditation system and ensure that all students are guaranteed a high-quality education that meets their needs.

The Risks in Betsy DeVos’ Rethink of Higher Education

Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos’ regulatory rollback would water down quality in higher education and create a recipe for fraud.

Congress should banish college savings

Marcela Bombardieri explains why Congress should stop asking families to save for college.

A New Framework for Quality Assurance and Accountability in Higher Education

A collaborative effort between the Center for American Progress and Higher Learning Advocates, informed by discussions with a range of stakeholders, highlights the need for gatekeeping and continuous improvement in the oversight of federal funds for postsecondary education.

The Education Department’s Debit Card Pilot Could Threaten Student Aid

A pilot program from the Department of Education will partner the department with a private financial institution to provide a payment card to students, offering up students as customers while collecting data on their spending habits—data that the department could ultimately use to limit students’ eligibility for financial aid.

The Answers Needed on Public Service Loan Forgiveness Denials

The Department of Education must provide data to explain why 99 percent of forgiveness applicants get denied.

Fact Sheet: A Legislative History of the Federal Government’s Reliance on Accreditation

Consumer protection has always been the main purpose of federal legislation regarding accreditation.

Fact Sheet: How College Accreditors Miss the Mark on Student Outcomes

The opportunity to ensure strong student outcomes in postsecondary education exists—accreditors just have to be willing to take it.

Fact Sheet: What Happens When Accreditors Sanction Colleges

Inconsistency in the sanctioning of poor-performing colleges across accrediting agencies undermines the college oversight system.

One and Done

Low-income students rarely experience changes in their aid eligibility; a one-time FAFSA could guarantee aid and remove a barrier to completion.

Fact Sheet: Modeling a One-time FAFSA

A CAP study finds that students’ circumstances are stable enough to have them file the FAFSA just once, which could have a positive impact on students—particularly those who receive Pell Grants.

4 Ways Secretary DeVos’ Proposed Title IX Rule Will Fail Survivors of Campus Sexual Assault

Although sexual assault remains a pervasive issue on college campuses, Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos is planning to undermine survivors through new, regressive changes to Title IX.

As Debates Over College Costs Make Waves in South Carolina, It’s Time to Boost Need-Based Aid Nationwide

The steep costs of higher education highlight a fundamental problem with how states distribute grant dollars.

Can Nonprofit Startups Make a College Degree Attainable for Low-Income Adults?

Organizations in several cities are mixing online competency-based degree programs with in-person supports, aiming to help students who have been poorly served by both purely online programs and the traditional classroom.

The Forgotten Faces of Student Loan Default

Several overlooked groups of students—including veterans and students with disabilities—continue to struggle with loan repayment.

The Lawsuits Challenging DeVos’ Anti-Student Higher Education Agenda

As Betsy DeVos’ Department of Education pushes a higher education agenda that’s bad for students, several state attorneys general, civil rights organizations, and advocacy groups have engaged the courts to protect the interests of students.

4 Ways to Improve Proposed Higher Standards for College Accreditation

New CHEA-proposed standards raise the bar for accrediting agencies; however, they could be strengthened in four key ways.

The Department of Education’s Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Borrower Defense Proposal

There are many reasons to scrap the Department of Education’s new proposal for borrowers whose colleges took advantage of them.

The Cost of Insufficient Student Loan Accountability

Many high-profile failed colleges had longer-term default rates that would have triggered sanctions had they been measured over more time.

How You Can See Your College’s Long-Term Default Rate

CAP accessed five years of student loan outcomes for more than 4,800 colleges.

Gaps in the Debate About Asian Americans and Affirmative Action at Harvard

Race-conscious admissions policies benefit all students of color, including Asian Americans, and higher education institutions must use these practices—along with other considerations—to better ensure diversity and equity on their campuses.

A Well-Rounded Education

America’s high school students need a rich and varied curriculum in order to be successful in high school, college, and beyond.

What Do We Know About Student Loans? Less Than You Think

Although the Education Department has detailed data on student debt, the public is in the dark on basic facts.

A Promising Model to Boost Retention for Part-Time Students

Bunker Hill Community College in Boston has seen improved retention for part-time students enrolled in learning communities.

The Imperative to Support Single Mothers in College

New research highlights the urgency for better supporting the 2.1 million single mothers in college.

New Federal Data Show America Still Needs to Improve College Access

Major gaps in college-going by socio-economic status are the start of societal gaps in postsecondary attainment.

Getting Repayment Rates Right

Policymakers must consider the many complexities inherent in using student loan repayment rates to determine colleges’ access to federal financial aid.

The 85 Colleges That Only ACICS Would Accredit

Eighty-five of the colleges that ACICS oversees would have likely lost access to federal student aid if Secretary DeVos had not reinstated the problematic accreditor.

Beyond Tuition

A new and innovative CAP proposal outlines a vision for affordability, quality, and accountability in postsecondary education.

Beyond Tuition: A New Vision for Higher Education

CAP proposes Beyond Tuition, a new plan to ensure all Americans have the opportunity to earn a college degree.

Beyond Tuition: Promises for Affordability, Quality, and Accountability in Higher Education

CAP presents a new plan for tackling affordability, quality, and accountability in higher education through a racial and socioeconomic equity lens.

The House Higher Education Bill Is a $31 Billion Loss for Students

Why the House plan to reauthorize the Higher Education Act is even worse than its official net savings estimate.

Colleges Are No Match for American Poverty

Author Marcella Bombardieri profiles Amarillo College and its president's efforts to better accommodate its low-income students.

4 Principles for a Free Community College Program That Works for All

In order to ensure free community college proposals are equitable and work for all students, state policymakers should keep four key principles in mind.

The Neglected College Race Gap: Racial Disparities Among College Completers

White students have a significant advantage when it comes to where college completers get their credentials and what they study.

Blueprint for the 21st Century

CAP’s Jobs Blueprint addresses the wage stagnation and employment challenges facing working class Americans and communities left behind by investing in millions of new jobs nationwide to meet some of our nation’s most pressing economic and social needs and creating a job guarantee in the hardest-hit areas.

Bold Ideas for State Action

Americans are ready for states—the laboratories of democracy—to offer a new progressive vision for shared prosperity. This report presents a menu of state policy priorities to help people secure good jobs and good wages and to support strong and healthy communities in which all people are treated fairly and equitably.

College Signing Days Reflect a Future Worth Celebrating

Getting high school students to and through college requires K-12 school systems to invest more in comprehensive college preparation efforts.

How College Accreditors Miss the Mark on Student Outcomes

The opportunity to ensure strong student outcomes in postsecondary education exists—accreditors just have to be willing to take it.

The Good and Bad News in College Attainment Trends

The United States has made impressive gains in college completion, especially among Latino young adults, but big equity gaps remain.

5 Facts About the Proposed Student Loan Repayment System

Although the recently proposed federal student loan repayment system has many good elements, questions linger about its complexity and how contractors would be held accountable.

Gaps in College Spending Shortchange Students of Color

Due to gaps in college enrollment and differences in spending, students of color are more likely to attend institutions that spend less to educate them.

Are High School Diplomas Really a Ticket to College and Work?

A 50-state review of high school graduation requirements shows misalignment between the coursework necessary to receive a high school diploma and to be eligible for college admissions.

Progressive Policy Wins in the Omnibus

Congress’ spending deal makes a number of important policy advances—although it shamefully leaves Dreamers behind.

Changes to Higher Ed Accountability Portend a Big Downside for Students of Color

In practice, program-level accountability would make it impossible to track the performance of many students of color at colleges across the United States.

The Underground College Basketball Economy

This week, Michele and Igor sit down with Kevin Merida to discuss issues of sports and race.

ACICS Should Not Regain Its Ability to Grant Access to Federal Financial Aid

It’s too little, too late for the disgraced college watchdog to get approval again for the schools it oversees to access federal financial aid.

Why I’m Still Suing the President

This week, Michele and Igor sit down with Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healey to discuss the renewed debate on gun control, among other issues.

Trump’s Budget Proposes More Than $200 Billion in Cuts to Students

President Trump's tax cuts rewarded people born into wealth. Now he wants to pay for it by making it harder for millions of low- and middle-income Americans to afford college.

Trump’s Budget Reveals that He Wants Everyday Americans to Pay for His Tax Cuts for the Wealthy

The president's budget pays for his tax cuts for the wealthy and corporations by slashing health care, education, and other critical investments.

A Second Status Update on ACICS Colleges

With a June deadline looming, most of the defunct accreditor's schools are on a path to gain approval elsewhere.

Putting Students First in College Accountability

Improved federal oversight would better protect students and improve higher education outcomes.

Getting Private Collection Agencies Out of Federal Student Loans

Senators have asked Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos to justify the high costs of the federal government’s collection of defaulted student loans.

BONUS EPISODE: Work Hard, Graduate College, Become an MD, Be Deported

In this bonus episode, Michele and Igor sit down with two DACA recipients whose medical careers will be in jeopardy unless Congress acts.

The Administration and Congress Should Not Undermine Registered Apprenticeships

Federal efforts to grow apprenticeships cannot come at the expense of program quality.

How to Reform Remedial Education

Policymakers, colleges, and school districts should take steps to successfully reform remedial education for recent high school graduates.

Education Department Proposes Major Changes to Student Aid

The ways students receive and repay their federal student aid may see drastic changes in the coming years.

The Obstacles Unauthorized Students Face in Postsecondary Education

Colleges and universities can help curb some of the substantial disadvantages that unauthorized students confront when attempting to attain postsecondary education.

Who Are Student Loan Defaulters?

New federal data shed light on the demographics of student loan defaulters as well as their path into and out of default.

Pay Long and Don’t PROSPER

House Republicans’ plan to overhaul income-driven repayment will force low-income students to spend many more years in repayment and pay a great deal more along the way.

Estimated Effects of the House Higher Ed Bill on Titles III and V

Two dozen institutions could lose access to Title III or V funding under a recently proposed House bill.

What You Need to Know About the House Higher Education Act Bill