CAP Urges Stronger Accountability Metrics and Greater Transparency in Federally Funded Postsecondary Programs ArticleJune 3, 2026 CAP Urges Stronger Accountability Metrics and Greater Transparency in Federally Funded Postsecondary Programs The Center for American Progress recently urged the U.S. Department of Education to reconsider proposed changes that could weaken safeguards for higher education students. As written, the proposal risks allowing low-value postsecondary programs to continue receiving federal aid, potentially steering students, especially those with limited financial resources, into pathways that fail to deliver meaningful economic returns. Jun 3, 2026 Madison Weiss
2026 CAP IDEAS Conference Past EventMay 19, 2026 2026 CAP IDEAS Conference The Center for American Progress’ signature event, now celebrating its 15th year, where CAP convenes the big thinkers and doers on the center-left for a day of not only identifying the problems facing Americans, but also sharing solutions to improve the lives of all Americans. Online via Zoom May 19, 2026
Federal and State Policy Outlook for Community Colleges Past EventApril 15, 2026 Federal and State Policy Outlook for Community Colleges Join the CAP and the Community Colleges Coalition to explore how community colleges are adapting to new federal and state policies. Online via Zoom Apr 15, 2026
CAP Urges the Department of Education To Strengthen Safeguards for Workforce Pell Grants and Protect Students From Low-Value Programs ArticleApril 14, 2026 CAP Urges the Department of Education To Strengthen Safeguards for Workforce Pell Grants and Protect Students From Low-Value Programs The Center for American Progress submitted comments to the Department of Education to ensure the program is accountable and valuable to students. Apr 14, 2026 Madison Weiss
CAP Urges the Department of Education To Protect Access to Graduate Degrees and Lower Costs for Student Loan Borrowers ArticleMarch 10, 2026 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. Mar 10, 2026 Sara Partridge, Madison Weiss
Putting Students Before Politics: A Conversation on the Future of America’s Education System With Rahm Emanuel Past EventJanuary 21, 2026 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. Center for American Progress and online via Zoom Jan 21, 2026
CAP Comments on Regulations for New Loan Limits, Repayment Plans, and Program Accountability Metrics ArticleOctober 17, 2025 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. Oct 17, 2025 Madison Weiss, Sara Partridge, David A. Bergeron
Recent Trends in the Cost of College Show the Continued Importance of Federal and State Investment ReportAugust 27, 2025 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. Aug 27, 2025 Sara Partridge
Trump’s Agenda Is a Direct Threat to the Black Middle Class ArticleAugust 18, 2025 Trump’s Agenda Is a Direct Threat to the Black Middle Class Donald Trump returned to the presidency promising a policy agenda that would help the Black middle class succeed. However, his choices in office and his attacks on diversity and equal opportunity have represented a direct assault on their ability to maintain economic stability. Aug 18, 2025 William Roberts, Mariam Rashid
The Implementation Timeline of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act ArticleJuly 29, 2025 The Implementation Timeline of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act An overview of when the cuts to basic needs programs such as Medicaid, Medicare, SNAP, and student loans and other provisions in the Republicans’ OBBBA go into effect. Jul 29, 2025 Kennedy Andara, Corey Husak, Sara Partridge, 6 More Madison Weiss, Akshay Thyagarajan, Lucero Marquez, Natasha Murphy, Brian Keyser, Kyle Ross
The Full Cost of Attendance: Addressing Housing, Food, and Other Barriers to Community College Student Success ReportJuly 16, 2025 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. Jul 16, 2025 Veronica Goodman, Madison Weiss, Sara Partridge
Class of 2025 Forum: Student Perspectives on Public Education’s Value and Impact Past EventJuly 10, 2025 Class of 2025 Forum: Student Perspectives on Public Education’s Value and Impact Please join the Center for American Progress for an authentic conversation with students from the class of 2025. Online via Zoom Jul 10, 2025