Lumina Foundation is committed to increasing the proportion of Americans with high-quality degrees, certificates and other credentials to 60 percent by 2025.
This week, federal lawmakers heard another round of testimony about the rocky rollout of the revamped Free Application for Federal Student Aid. And once again, numerous damning details emerged.
Specifically, officials from the U.S. Government Accountability Office shared findings from two new reports about the continuing federal aid crisis with members of the House Subcommittee on Higher Education and Workforce Development. The findings and testimony provide the most detailed picture yet of the federal aid system’s failures—and how those failures are affecting students.
California’s Master Plan for Higher Education, adopted 64 years ago, envisioned that three systems— the University of California, California State University, and dozens of community colleges—would cooperatively, seamlessly, and inexpensively generate the educated citizenry and workforce a rapidly growing state needs.
Things have not quite worked out as planned, observers say.
As many colleges grapple with declining enrollment and intense political criticism, sagging public support for higher learning has become a journalistic given. But many of these articles are getting the story wrong. The polling data that form the basis for this narrative is far more limited and nuanced than the framing suggests.
Here are five things to know about what higher education public opinion polls actually say and what they mean.
More than 40 million Americans have student loan debt. But should the government forgive all, or even part, of that debt? That debate has become a surprising source of political division.
Opponents say student loan forgiveness is effectively a transfer of wealth from the bottom of the socioeconomic ladder to the top. Supporters argue that forgiveness provides relief to graduates struggling with the costs of repayment. That's especially true for millions of borrowers who have debt but no degree or credential.
For years, Mississippi State University's housing department has helped certain well-connected students secure spots in its newest and most expensive dorms, while the premium price tag pushes many less privileged students into the school’s older, cheaper halls.
The confidential practice, known internally as “five star,” kicks into motion when donors, lawmakers, legacy alumni, and other friends of the university ask for assistance.
Nancy Thomas is no stranger to conflict and controversy. But over the past year—amid attacks on diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts; divisive protests; and mounting tensions over the upcoming election—the executive director of the Institute for Democracy and Higher Education has watched faculty concerns about managing complex conversations multiply.
The American Association of Colleges and Universities aims to help with the launch of a virtual resource that advises educators on how to tone down vitriol and foster constructive dialogue.
