Drawing on diverse personal backgrounds, views, and work experiences, Higher Learning Advocates’ Champions Network members are united in advancing solutions to better serve today’s students. They bring to bear cutting-edge policy ideas and hands-on solutions to the discourse around national higher education policy and improving student outcomes...

Many have made it their mission to advocate for today’s students and propose policies that will better serve their needs. These policy experts and policymakers dedicate their careers to today’s students by leading research centers, working with higher education organizations, and advocating in front of Congress on students’ behalf. Insights &...

Members of Congress represent thousands of constituents and introduce legislation to better serve them, including today’s students. Many of today’s students are parenting, working full-time or part-time, and financially independent and require updated legislation that speaks directly to their needs. This month, a few Members shared their inspir...

Today’s students are more diverse across multiple areas than any previous generation of college students. Students represent various ages, income levels, and races. They’re more mobile and may not live on campus. Most participate in the workforce, either full-time or part-time. Work and family responsibilities beyond the classroom—whether tha...

Financial aid has not kept pace to serve today’s students. Historically, the majority of financial aid recipients had a similar profile. Today, financial aid recipients are significantly more diverse. The profile of today’s college students continues to evolve, and at Excelencia in Education, we are focused on a significant part of this evolvin...

Legislative action around the Higher Education Act is heating up. Senator Alexander has dropped a pared down version of HEA and the House just introduced their HEA reauthorization bill. As Congress considers reauthorization of the law that governs all student aid programs, they should consider reforming Federal Work Study (FWS), a program failing t...

I was sitting on the edge of my cot surrounded by thick concrete and rusted paint-chipped bars that kept me caged in like an exotic pet. My cell was the size of a parking spot. If I stretched out my limbs, each would extend to the corners of my confined living quarters. I could barely…

The federal role in financial aid policy tends to dominate the conversation around reauthorization of the Higher Education Act (HEA). However, rethinking financial aid cannot occur without the participation of one of the primary providers of student financial aid: states. Despite the major role that states can play in the financial aid system, they...