State Policy Network

Recognizing that degree completion can increase economic mobility and long-term self-sufficiency, our new brief offers strategies for states and institutions to minimize coverage losses from Medicaid work requirements and allow students to focus on their studies, not their health coverage.

The spring 2026 edition of the TICAS State Policy Digest, a quarterly newsletter for state leaders that highlights state and federal efforts to increase affordability, accountability, and equity in higher education.

AI-driven application fraud is rising fast, but without adequate staffing and resources, prevention efforts risk blocking the very students aid is meant to serve.

As federal policy drives more graduate students to the private loan market, this blog outlines strategies for state policymakers to strengthen consumer protections, expand transparency, and ensure that the financial aid landscape works in the best interest of students—not lenders.

This report draws on quantitative and qualitative data to examine Black students’ reflections on their decisions to attend for-profit schools, personal experiences while enrolled, and levels of satisfaction. We also highlight opportunities for states to aid defrauded students and borrowers by investigating the problematic behaviors that occur too often at for-profit...

This blog outlines four potential major issues should states extend Pell eligibility to noncredit programs and offers guidance to help states improve their ability to assess the quality of Workforce Pell programs, bolster student protections, and prevent bad actors and subpar programs from accessing this significant expansion of federal aid.