Over 40 Organizations Call on Congressional Leadership to Provide $62 Billion to Increase College Graduation Rates

A coalition of over 40 nonprofit policy, advocacy and research organizations sent a letter to Congressional leaders expressing strong support for a $62 billion investment in evidence-based student success initiatives.

Proven programs like CUNY ASAP have dramatically increased college persistence and graduation rates, and student earnings upon graduation for low-income, first-generation and students of color. Today, a broad coalition of groups urged Congress to adopt President Biden’s proposal to provide $62 billion to scale these initiatives nationwide.

The institutions of higher education most likely to serve students of color and low-income communities often have the fewest resources to meet student needs. A major investment in student success programs that have been shown through rigorous evaluations to improve postsecondary outcomes could tackle this disparity, equipping institutions to better support students with advising, mentoring, financial, academic, and personal support.