Affordability
We advocate for more accessible and effective Pell Grants and Cal Grants, more affordable student loans, greater and more equitable state funding, and better information to help students make good financial decisions.
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Accountability
We work to hold predatory colleges accountable for deceptive and illegal conduct, reducing the number of students left worse off by burdensome student debt, and other steps to improve student outcomes.
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Anti-Poverty & Basic Needs
Our Anti-Poverty & Basic Needs team advocates to remove restrictions on higher education in programs such as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), TANF, and the Child Care & Development Fund (CCDF) due to decades of “work first” requirements that exclude postsecondary education. These restrictions have been worsening the opportunity gap, undermining security and mobility for families, and hampering economic growth and stability for states and the nation.
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College Completion
We collaborate with advocates and institutions to advocate for federal and state governments to build on proven comprehensive approaches to student supports that help students successfully complete their college degrees.
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California
California’s Master Plan for higher education guarantees a place in college for every eligible student. We seek to ensure students in the state have the financial aid and student services they need to succeed.
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Michigan
TICAS Michigan strives to be a resource and educator on policies and processes that affect college access, affordability, and credential attainment. We seek to uplift and elevate community and student voice in policy decision-making to ensure student and family's needs are met.
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New York
We work to shape state policies and practices through evidence-based research to increase higher education access and affordability, ensure students have comprehensive support to complete their degree, and protect students from unfair practices.
Learn moreGeography of Opportunity: Mapping the Availability of Broad Access Institutions
This analysis explores the availability of Broad-Access Institutions (BAIs) across the country, differentiating between rural and urban areas as well as communities along state borders. BAIs play an important role in expanding educational opportunities and promoting upward mobility; however, not all communities have equal access to BAIs. This inequality affects where students go to college—it even affects how they get there, how much they pay, and whether they complete their degrees.
Learn moreGAO Report Underscores Need for Federal SNAP Reform
This brief highlights the findings of a U.S. Government Accountability report on SNAP uptake and offers policy recommendations to improve student eligibility for SNAP and ensure that students who do qualify are receiving this crucial benefit.
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