The Overlooked Challenge of Second- to Third-Year Retention

Using data from the Postsecondary Data Partnership, which includes 17 diverse four-year institutions across the United States, the American Institutes for Research has published a new brief advocating for greater emphasis on second- to third-year retention metrics.

Reimagining Higher Education: A New Campus in Colorado, Open to Everyone

Colorado State Chancellor Tony Frank discusses CSU Spur, a unique public campus in Denver that offers free hands-on learning to people of all ages. The goal: to address disparities in college attendance and success, ignite curiosity in K-12 students, and serve as a hub of innovation.

The Power of Data to Promote Equitable Higher Education Pathways

The higher education landscape in the United States consists of over one million credentials offered by more than 60,000 providers. While these options hold the promise of increasing access to postsecondary education, pathways built from a mix of credentials can be confusing. A new report from Credential Engine’s Equity Advisory Council aims to help.    

Supporting Incarcerated Students With Second Chance Pell

The signing of the 2021 Consolidated Appropriations Act canceled the ban on access to Pell Grants for formerly or currently incarcerated adults. A new report from the National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators looks at how to improve cross-sector collaboration and wrap-around services to help make this program a success.

Addressing College Enrollment Through Academic Preparation

A new report from the Brookings Institution Center on Children and Families examines how college enrollment is impacted by academic preparation, race, gender, and socioeconomic status.

New Report Shows Student and Institutional Benefits of Emergency Grant Programs

The Heckscher Foundation for Children commissioned a study of the State University of New York (SUNY) Student Emergency Fund (SEF), a program designed to increase student persistence by “providing emergency aid to low-income students who are experiencing temporary setbacks.”

Redefining Prestige

Education Secretary Miguel Cardona has laid out plans to hold higher education more accountable for student success. Devorah Lieberman, president of the University of La Verne, writes that we owe it to our students—and ourselves—to embrace his vision.

New Report Finds Pell Grant Increasingly Does Not Cover Cost of Public Higher Education

Students who receive Pell Grants regularly turn to public two- and four-year colleges and universities for affordable and accessible higher education. However, a new report from the National College Attainment Network (NCAN) found Pell Grant students are increasingly unable to afford public higher education institutions across the United States, with only 24 percent of four-year institutions and 40 percent of two-year institutions being considered affordable in the 2019-2020 academic year.

Equitable Access and Student Success for Formerly Incarcerated Students

For this report, 26 stakeholders (including formerly incarcerated students, advocates for criminal justice reform, and research and policy organizations) were interviewed to discuss their experiences with the college admission, enrollment, and transition processes. The authors found that formerly incarcerated and system impacted students experience multiple barriers in their higher education journeys.

Breaking Down the Barriers to Financial Aid and College Access for Homeless and Foster Youth

Many foster and homeless youth aspire to a college education but encounter numerous barriers in the process, according to a new report from SchoolHouse Connection. One of the biggest challenges they encounter while applying for college admissions and financial aid support is the inability to obtain information about parental income.

Designing Equity-Minded Work-Based Learning Opportunities for Community College Students

Community college students often find themselves excluded from participating in work-based learning opportunities, which can be crucial for future employability. In a new report, New America showcases how five community colleges center equity in redesigning WBL to be more accessible and work for all students.

Why Is College Enrollment Declining?

Title: Exploring the Exodus From Higher Education Source: Edge Research, HCM Strategies, and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation A collaborative study between Edge Research, HCM Strategies and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation aims to shed light on why an increasing number of people are choosing not to attend college. As enrollment has been… Read more »