Higher Education Policy

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.

2024 Summit on Education: Reset. Reframe. Reform.

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.