Memo

This brief synthesizes our recommendations from the TICAS Rural Reconnect Initiative for institutional, state, and federal policymakers to allow rural students with SCNC to complete their credentials and achieve economic mobility.  

This brief offers a comprehensive comparison of Workforce Pell and Cal Grant C program structure, eligibility, and reporting, as well as considerations for implementation and reform.

H.R.1 is a missed opportunity to increase economic mobility and reduce long-term reliance on SNAP. Our new report breaks down the economic and societal benefits of including higher education as qualifying employment option for SNAP benefits and provides concrete policy recommendations for implementation. 

Our 2026 policy priorities for New York state outline higher ed policy changes to improve college affordability, consumer protection, basic needs support, college completion, data transparency, and college access.

Federal policy discussions are underway to consider potential implications of setting caps on graduate lending—potentially through the budget reconciliation process. To inform these discussions, TICAS examined available data, foregrounding considerations of potential impact on borrowers of color and students with low incomes.

Applications are now open for the TICAS Michigan Student Advocacy Fellowship, an opportunity for students in Michigan to learn…