The Concurrent Resolution on the Budget for FY2025 (H.Con.Res. 14) includes reconciliation instructions for the House Committee on Education and the Workforce (EDW) and the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) to reduce spending within their jurisdictions by at least $330 billion and at least $1 billion, respectively,…

We used Critical Discourse Analysis to examine the racial discourse within recent attempts to reauthorize the Higher Education Act. Specifically, we interrogated congressional markup hearings to understand how members frame student debt and the racialized dynamics embedded within. Our findings highlight three types of discourse: "All…

TICAS' 2025 Federal Policy Agenda advises members of the 119th Congress on how to strengthen the nation's higher education system to ensure a college degree is both accessible and affordable. Our higher education system faces extensive challenges, but a postsecondary credential remains the most reliable path to economic mobility, and the economy…

It has become increasingly difficult for the two major parties in Congress to reach agreement on major higher education legislation. As a result, the Higher Education Act is long overdue for reauthorization. Congressional stalemates on higher education legislation are not conducive to effective and productive governance in this important area of…

Background: Nearly two decades have passed since the last successful reauthorization of the Higher Education Act. Since then, student loan debt and the accumulation patterns based on race have become a pressing issue to address in U.S. society. Purpose: Student debt is one of the key issues on the federal higher education policy agenda. The…

As Washington prepares to welcome a new Congress in January 2023, incoming policymakers who want to improve education for every student and give parents more control over where and how their children are educated have many policy options at their disposal. New Members of Congress who want to protect taxpayers and rein in college costs also have…

Several months into a credit crunch that has led at least 20 lenders to leave the guaranteed loan program or suspend their lending operations, lawmakers have begun to respond with a sense of urgency, even as they seek to reassure students and parents that a crisis is unlikely and that federal student loans will still be available this fall. In the…

During the three presidential debates this fall, both John McCain and Barack Obama opened by thanking their university hosts. If not for their locations, it's likely one would not have heard the words "college," "university," or "higher education" even uttered in the debates. Indeed, it wasn't until the final debate that Senator McCain mentioned…

"The Achiever" is a monthly publication for parents and community leaders. Each issue contains news and information about school improvement in the United States. Highlights of this issue include: (1) President Signs College Cost Reduction Act; (2) Galvanizing the Community: Charter Schools Provides Greater Choice to Colorado Latinos…

Through their subcommittee work, William Ford of Michigan and Claiborne Pell of Rhode Island are the two most influential members of Congress on matters affecting higher education. Their viewpoints and accomplishments, particularly with respect to student financial aid programs, are discussed. (JMD)

The family contribution schedule proposed by the Office of Education for use in computing the Basic Educational Opportunity Grant program in the school year 1976-77 was examined by the Senate committee and its witnesses. The liberalization of asset treatment for all individuals, especially those with small farms, is noted. The new schedule should…

This study examined major stakeholders' perceptions of their involvement and role in the legislative process surrounding the introduction, deliberation, and ultimate passage of the Direct Loan Demonstration Program (DLDP), a federal pilot student loan program. Data analysis was based on a detailed description of the legislative process surrounding…

The purpose of federal support for the general educational goals of higher education is examined in this testimony. Such support for higher education currently amounts to $3.4 billion, exclusive of research and veterans educational benefits under the GI bill. Two roles are identified for federal support of higher education: (1) the role of…

Certain aspects of the Guaranteed Student Loan, National Direct Student Loan, College Work-Study, and Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants programs are reviewed and evaluated. The rules and regulations OE provides to educational and lending institutions for administering the federally sponsored student financial aid programs are found to be…

The Committee on Government Reform, chaired by Tom Davis (R-VA) convened this oversight hearing to examine Federal Student Loan Programs, specifically the management and performance of the Federal Family Education Loan Program and the William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan Program. The Committee focused on the Department of Education initiatives to…