Debt-Free College

The Institute for College Access & Success (TICAS) released a new collection of papers from leading researchers examining how policymakers can make debt-free college a reality for all students.

Washington – Today, The Institute for College Access & Success (TICAS) released a new series of papers from leading researchers examining how policymakers can make debt-free college a reality for all students.

TICAS conducted interviews with nearly 20 higher education experts representing a range of stakeholders, including think tanks, advocates, legislative staffers, state officials, college associations, and researchers about America's College Promise. This memo summarizes key takeaways from these interviews. 

For an early understanding of the experiences of those working in states and colleges when the COVID-19 pandemic hit, we interviewed higher education stakeholders across five states — California, Colorado, Michigan, North Carolina, and Texas — to help inform lessons for advocates and policymakers going forward.

The Build Back Better Act has the potential to fundamentally transform the nation’s higher education system. In its original form, it includes three core reforms: a new federal-state partnership to fund tuition-free community college; a $500 boost to the maximum Pell Grant; and a landmark retention and completion fund to support evidence-based student success initiatives...

The Build Back Better Act includes three core higher education reforms: a new federal-state partnership to fund tuition-free community college; a boost to the maximum Pell Grant; and a landmark fund to support evidence-based student success initiatives. Together, these will go a long way toward restoring the promise of higher education and addressing the root causes of rising..