Using SNAP Benefits to Reduce Student Food Insecurity and Improve College Completion

Today’s students must often navigate higher education and its associated costs while facing increased basic needs insecurity and limited need-based financial aid to close the gap. In a new brief, The Institute for College Access and Success (TICAS) suggests policy recommendations and changes to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) to better meet students’ basic needs and position them to both enroll in and complete college degree programs.

Brief Snapshot of College Students’ Attitudes on Mental Health

The Healthy Minds Study provides a snapshot of the state of mental health and well-being among the nation’s enrolled college students. The study seeks to “identify needs and priorities; benchmark against peer institutions; evaluate programs and policies; plan for services and programs; and advocate for resources.”

Third Way Studies American Higher Education Outcomes in 2023

Third Way has released an update to its 2019 report examining institutional outcomes on completion, post-enrollment earnings, and student loan repayment. The organization regularly examines these key areas to better determine and map a baseline level of quality education for college students.

National Trends in Undergraduate Degree Completions

The National Student Clearinghouse (NSC) has released a report on undergraduate graduation trends for the 2021-2022 academic year highlighting differences in undergraduate degree completions by student age and institution type.

Students of Color May Be Harmed by State-level Need-Based Aid Requirements

A new report from The Urban Institute highlights racial disparities in the distribution of state need-based aid. Using state enrollment data to assess patterns, researchers found consistent disparities existed in 11 states.

The Lasting Effects of COVID-19 on Undergraduate Transfer

The National Student Clearinghouse Research Center has released the inaugural report in its new transfer and progress series to shed a light on the unique effects the pandemic continues to have on transfer enrollment patterns for students across the U.S. higher education system.

Changes in Public K-12 Enrollment May Lead to Future Challenges for Higher Education

A report from the Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education (WICHE) discusses how the COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated existing issues in the public educational pathway. The report outlines the demographic changes in public elementary, middle, and high schools and provides recommendations for how leaders can respond to these shifts.

New Report Looks at How HBCUs Can Support Student Mental Health

Despite their longstanding success in supporting Black students, who comprise over 75 percent of their student population, HBCUs report struggling to meet these students’ mental health needs. In response, Active Minds and UNCF collaborated in spring 2022 to learn more about the state of mental health resources and practices at HBCUs.

The College Presidential Search and Equity-Minded Principles

ACE has partnered with the TIAA Institute through the American College President Study on a new report that identifies five equity-minded principles for conducting presidential searches. The report explores key steps of the typical search process and connects equity-minded principles to each step with the goal of changing the protocols, practices, and norms that form the pathway to the college presidency.

How Professional Learning Can Affect Equity

Every Learner Everywhere has released a new report in tandem with Achieving the Dream and the Online Learning Consortium that provides insight into four key questions about the use of professional learning to serve racially minoritized and poverty-affected students.

The Impact of FAFSA Completion on Pell Grant Funds

The National College Attainment Network (NCAN) has released data on Pell Grant distribution based on the number of high school graduates who had completed the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Over $3.6 billion of funding was left unallocated during 2022.

New Report Highlights Black Students’ Experiences and Challenges in Completing a College Degree or Certificate

Of all racial and ethnic identity groups in the U.S. student population, Black students are the least likely to complete a degree or certificate program within six years, according to the National Student Clearinghouse Research Center (2022). In response, Gallup and the Lumina Foundation developed a report on the systemic and institutional challenges Black students face in their pursuit of higher education.