Higher Education Policy

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.