The Institute for College Access & Success

NEW BLOG SERIES | On July 1, 2023, the doors to opened for hundreds of thousands more students who are incarcerated. While we celebrate the return of Pell to prison education programs, part 1 of this 2-part blog series explores the history of Pell Grant access for incarcerated student over the past few decades.

Read the blog: bit.ly/3QRyu8Z

"The passage of AB 789 would help struggling California students stay on their path toward earning a college degree and help build our state’s workforce of tomorrow."
- Alexandra Lewandowski, in today. Read the Op-Ed here: bit.ly/3KGZ80w

Interested in learning about the and what it is? Read below to find out more about what this year's reauthorization means to current and prospective college students and how it affects the available resources they have in their pursuit of a degree.

1. What is the ?

The Farm Bill is legislation that governs agricultural and food policy. The federal government must reauthorize it every five years.

This significant legislation governs many nutrition programs, including the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).

2. How does education access in SNAP affect the economy?

In 2021, over 14 million people on SNAP, who were 18+ had a high school diploma but no college credential.

SNAP policies that restrict education undermine higher education and workforce development.

3. Currently, higher education is not defined as an “Employment and Training Program” under SNAP policies. What does that mean?

SNAP participants are effectively barred from accessing education beyond high school, hindering their employability.

SNAP’s education restrictions undermine federal and state investments in higher education and workforce development, stymying economic growth.

4. How can we ensure SNAP promotes economic growth?

Through the Farm Bill reauthorization, Congress can modernize SNAP policies to include postsecondary programs under the definition of “Employment and Training Programs.”

Congress can count enrollment in a postsecondary program as an exemption that confers eligibility for students enrolled at least half-time.

NEW | The program is the federal government’s most effective investment in college affordability and helps 6+ million students attend and complete college every year. But the current maximum award covers the lowest share of college costs in the program’s history. That’s why we’re urging Congress to and strengthen the program for future generations.

Read more: https://bit.ly/45cf6HI

👏Kudos to TICAS Michigan and its dedicated community partners for having 6 out of 8 priorities included in the final FY24 state budget! Collectively, these investments will help remove barriers that prevent thousands of Michiganders from low-income backgrounds from pursuing a credential. Additionally, we are grateful to Governor Gretchen Whitmer and the state Legislature for prioritizing policies that further improve college access, affordability, and success.

Read more about the higher education priorities included in the final FY24 Michigan budget here: bit.ly/44UM93s

The , which is set to be reauthorized this year has critical implications for the economy. Current and prospective students will be affected by Farm Bill provisions in SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) that could help or continue to harm people’s ability to improve their employment outcomes. Stay tuned over the next few months as we advocate for the adoption of two common sense policy recommendations to alleviate barriers to accessing . Click the link in our bio to read our recommendations

The , which is set to be reauthorized this year has critical implications for the economy. Current and prospective students will be affected by Farm Bill provisions in SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) that could help or continue to harm people’s ability to improve their employment outcomes. Stay tuned over the next few months as we advocate for the adoption of two common sense policy recommendations to alleviate barriers to accessing . Read our recommendations here: bit.ly/44gwzi1

We’re excited to share that Leslie Rios has joined TICAS as a Senior Policy Associate on our Anti-Poverty & Basic Needs team! Leslie will help TICAS advance its federal and state anti-poverty and basic needs agenda!

As a first-generation college graduate, Leslie understands the importance of improving access and equity within higher education, especially for people from low-income backgrounds and students of color. We are thrilled to have Leslie on the TICAS team!

NEW BLOG | California’s FY23-24 budget three-party agreement between the Governor's office, the Assembly, & the Senate is now final. TICAS applauds the Governor’s office and the Legislature for their continued efforts to invest in programs and policy changes that will make college more affordable, ensure that all students in California can access high-quality higher education, and build out an essential student data system.

Read the blog: bit.ly/44TUMLf

July 1 marked the start of higher fixed interest rates for new federal loans for undergraduate students, graduate students, and parents. Stay up to date by understanding the impact of new interest rates on your loans to make informed decisions about your .

What can policymakers do to pump the brakes on student debt and give more students a shot at ?

"Ultimately, Congress must address the root causes of the student debt crisis by enabling all students, regardless of family income, to earn a four-year degree at a public college without needing to borrow.

"By boosting the Pell Grant and partnering with states to restore investment in public colleges — and lowering costs — we can eliminate the need to borrow to earn a four-year degree from any public institution," writes TICAS' Michele Shepard in The Hechinger Report:

OPINION: It’s time to put the brakes on student debt and give more students a shot at higher education Federal relief programs could be a financial lifeline for millions of families and prevent ‘debt without degree’

OUT NOW | We’re thrilled to share a set of tools to help advocates make a case for increasing funding for the Postsecondary Student Success Grant program to scale Comprehensive Approaches to Student Success initiatives nationwide.

TICAS’ latest interactive map on where to find evidence-based programs identifies institutions, cities, and states where rigorously evaluated college completion programs are located, as well as the members of Congress that represent those communities.

View the interactive map: bit.ly/3XLSfQK

Read why the Postsecondary Student Success Grant program matters: bit.ly/46gY1xE

NEW | As Congress considers the 2023 Farm Bill, TICAS urges policymakers to adopt overdue reforms that remove restrictions on education beyond high school. This bipartisan opportunity to modernize the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) will better connect SNAP participants to programs that lead to economic mobility and self-sufficiency.

Read TICAS’ Farm Bill Recommendations to Congress here: bit.ly/44gwzi1

In the aftermath of last week’s ruling on , millions of borrowers’ financial futures are even more uncertain now than ever before, especially with the repayment pause ending in the fall. For borrowers who defaulted on their loans, TICAS’ Jessica Thompson recommends signing up for the Biden-Harris Administration’s program, which will help borrowers who were delinquent or in default before the payment pause get their loans back into good standing.

Read more: https://www.latimes.com/politics/story/2023-06-30/supreme-court-kills-debt-forgiveness-what-should-student-loan-borrowers-do

The Biden-Harris Administration’s one-time student debt relief program was a powerful initiative towards addressing inequities in our system. While we are deeply disappointed in ' ruling, there is much work to be done for students on the path that lies ahead. Here's what we can do to support past and future students:

1️⃣ Urge Congress to double the maximum Pell Grant & strengthen the Pell Grant Program, Pell Grants are crucial for students of color. Nearly 60% of Black students, 50% of American Indian or Alaska Native students, and nearly 50% of Latinx students receive a Pell Grant each year.
2️⃣ Encourage the Department of Education to make Income-Driven Repayment (IDR) Work Better for Borrowers.
3️⃣ Focus on historically underfunded institutions such as community colleges, regional public universities, Historically Black Colleges and Universities, and Minority-Serving Institutions.
4️⃣ Encourage state and federal policymakers to work closely together to create a pathway to debt-free college.

Today’s ruling against the Biden-Harris Administration’s one-time student debt relief program is a significant blow to millions of borrowers who were hopeful for some financial respite.

“You’re asking people to mortgage their futures in order to have a future,” said Jessica Thompson, vice president for The Institute for College Access & Success.

Read more:

Crushed student loan borrowers are skipping meals, moving in with parents, panicking over money Student loan holders are bracing for a double hit. Biden's loan relief plan is blocked, and a years-long pandemic pause in payments ends in October.

TICAS is disappointed by today’s ruling to strike down the Biden-Harris Administration’s one-time cancellation program. This ruling erodes efforts to ease the burden on borrowers & hinders progress toward an equitable system. bit.ly/3ptP5Va

BREAKING NEWS | strikes down the Biden-Harris administration's one-time student debt cancellation program. Today's decision will throw millions of borrowers into financial uncertainty just as the payment pause is due to end.

Today's SCOTUS decision to strike down will have a long-lasting impact on historically marginalized student's in . Now more than ever we need to amplify the voices of students of color and work together to create a more inclusive and equitable educational landscape. Read below for more on how we can continue to support students of color.

1️⃣ We urge Members of Congress to make equitable investments in schools serving the largest shares of students of color, including Historically Black Colleges & Universities, Minority Serving Institutions, & Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander-Serving Institutions.

2️⃣ Students of color already face a number of hurdles before they can even apply to college. Removing barriers to access, like admissions fees, standardized testing mandates, legacy admissions, and application fees are just some examples to ensure access for all, no matter their economic or racial background.

3️⃣ . To do so, we must center race in any discussions assessing the value of college and ensure that people of color feel supported throughout the to workforce pipeline by incorporating comprehensive supports to help them succeed.

Today’s SCOTUS decision to strike down race-conscious admissions at colleges will undoubtedly set the nation back in any progress made toward achieving racial equity. Affirmative action was the bare minimum to help level the playing field. Our statement: bit.ly/44kM7kA

“Higher education is workforce development. Government programs should be the last entity that should be restricting things that we know work," said TICAS' Carrie Welton, who leads its basic needs and anti-poverty work. Read more:

Work rules for benefits programs deter low-income Americans from going to college A million students may be at risk of losing food stamp benefits as restrictions resume

In a letter responding to the Department of Education’s Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, TICAS applauds the Department of Education’s for its proposed higher education accountability rules, which aim to protect students and taxpayers from waste, fraud, and abuse. The measures, including Financial Value Transparency and Gainful Employment, Financial Responsibility, Administrative Capability, Certification Procedures, and Ability to Benefit, if implemented, would ensure a higher education landscape where students can thrive.

Read the letter from TICAS: bit.ly/3qUOX1e

TUNE IN | Today, at 3:30pm ET, TICAS' Casey Nguyen joins The Executive Leadership Council's (ELC) LinkedIn Live panel to discuss how a scaled back affirmative action ruling would impact the talent pipeline the need to .

Register here: bit.ly/3X1zTL4

NEW BRIEF | TICAS' latest analysis highlights how states like Iowa and Louisiana are boosting FAFSA completion rates by making it a requirement for high school graduation. Our analysis found these measures helped remove barriers and unlocked more opportunities for students. By ensuring that every student has access to financial aid, these states have increased the likelihood of their students staying enrolled and successfully completing a postsecondary degree.

Read the brief here: bit.ly/3NnT6DK

TICAS president Sameer Gadkaree's statement on President Biden's veto of a Congressional Review Act resolution that would have blocked the administration’s one-time student debt relief program.

Read the full statement: https://bit.ly/3N1btg6

ICYMI: TICAS commissioned leading academics Jennifer Delaney, William Doyle, Kelly Rosinger, Vanessa Sansone, David Troutman, Di Xu, and Brendan Cantwell to write a series of papers to inform the policy conversation about how to implement effective, equitable, and sustainable solutions to make a reality for students.

The first three papers outline the current college financing landscape and examine the trade-offs of recent federal-state funding partnership proposals.

The final three papers examine specific components that could be addressed as part of a larger federal-state funding partnership proposal: using longitudinal data to close equity gaps; improving student academic outcomes by establishing minimum standards for faculty; and how research institutions can preserve the research mission while limiting students’ exposure to associated costs.

Read the full compendium here bit.ly/3oGvSzd

🎙TUNE IN | TICAS' Dr. Jhenai Chandler chatted with the National Association of College and University Business Officers (NACUBO) to discuss the most pressing challenges that students are encountering and the student support programs that can give them the tools they need to be able to complete a degree. Listen here: https://bit.ly/3N35tVq

TICAS is hiring! We are excited to grow our team with people that are passionate about building a better landscape for students! We have openings in our MI and Basic Needs Teams. Visit http://ticas.org/careers/ to learn more!

🎙️ TUNE IN | TICAS president, Sameer Gadkaree, College Futures Foundation' Eloy Oakley, & The Century Foundation' Bob Shireman discuss U.S. Department of Education's proposed changes to third-party servicers & online program management providers and the impact that these changes would have on .

We’re hiring! TICAS is looking to grow its team with passionate changemakers dedicated to making more equitable. We are looking to fill roles in our Research, MI, and Basic Needs Teams.

Visit ticas.org/careers/ to learn more!

TICAS applauds U.S. Department of Education’s efforts to and ensure programs deliver valuable skills for successful postsecondary and workforce outcomes. This meaningful action sends a clear message: deceptive and fraudulent practices from programs that don’t have students’ best interest will be met with consequences.

Our statement on the Department's proposed accountability rules, including reinstating the gainful employment rule: bit.ly/3MEJ6We

"It's important context for people to understand that whatever that big shocking tuition number is, it's not necessarily what they actually have to pay," said TICAS' Michele Shepard. "But it's important to reiterate, that doesn't mean that it’s actually affordable."

Forget that $90,000 sticker price: College costs are actually going down The sticker price at America’s priciest colleges is approaching $90,000, a milestone that has inspired fresh debate about whether college is worth the cost.  But the overall numbers tell …

Today, Governor Newsom released his May Revision. Though not as severe as many feared, amidst fiscal uncertainty, it reflects the state’s reality shift from historic surplus to significant deficit.

Read more about the implications from TICAS' Manny Rodriguez: bit.ly/3nWh5Qt

Many students lose access to financial aid after just one year of college when they are unable to meet academic standards attached to financial aid eligibility known as satisfactory academic progress.

Some institutions of higher education across the state impose satisfactory academic progress policies stricter than those required by federal law and thus impede student success and equity, and disproportionately affect historically minoritized students who would benefit most from a degree.

NEW: TICAS collection of papers examines how policymakers can make debt-free college a reality for all students. As the cost of college continues, efforts to address the ongoing crisis of high costs, high debt burdens, and decreasing confidence in the value of higher education continue; TICAS commissioned leading academics to write a collection of papers to shape the policy conversation about how to implement effective, equitable, and sustainable solutions to the college affordability crisis.

Collectively, the papers outline the current college financing landscape, discuss potential policy options for reducing reliance on debt, and examine specific components that could be addressed as part of a larger federal-state funding partnership to achieve debt-free college for all. Currently students looking to cover the average cost of attending a 4-year public college from families making $30,000 or less, need to spend 93% of their total family income and two-thirds respectively to cover the cost of a 2-year college.

These trends mean that the average debt held by bachelor’s degree recipients grew by about 56% over a 15-year period, well outpacing inflation. To build a debt-free future for all students, the federal government and states must work together. TICAS urges Congress to address the root causes of the student debt crisis by lowering college costs and providing sufficient grant aid so that students don’t need to take on unmanageable debt to earn a degree. Read more:

Read the report: https://bit.ly/3HeRskv