College Completion

In 2025, TICAS launched the Rural Reconnect Initiative, an effort to advance college completion and economic mobility for residents of rural communities in the South and Southwest by identifying promising postsecondary education strategies and policies to reengage students with some college and no credential (SCNC).

Federal investments in TRIO and MSI programs have long formed the backbone of student success at rural-serving institutions. As policymakers consider the future of federal higher education investments, funding stability must remain a priority.

WASHINGTON, D.C. – On Friday, President Trump released his Fiscal Year 2027 (FY27) “skinny” budget which proposes $1.5…

This fact sheet outlines steps for Congress to ensure that federal college completion policy helps students finish the educational journey they start, builds institutional capacity to implement and scale effective completion strategies, and ensures federal dollars are targeted toward postsecondary pathways that lead to strong workforce and economic returns.

TICAS’ 2026 Federal Policy Agenda advises members of the 119th Congress how to make it possible for any student—regardless of their financial circumstances—to earn a high-quality postsecondary degree or credential without taking on burdensome debt. 

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, with bipartisan support, Congress passed a delayed FY26 spending package that includes funding for…