Higher Education

Higher Education Act

student loans

college affordability

Public Service Loan Forgiveness

Going to college shouldn’t mean going into debt

We support making higher education more affordable and accessible.

In the 2016-17 school year, states invested $9 billion less in public colleges and universities than they did in 2008.

Students and families—not public dollars—now fund the bulk of core higher education costs.

Any reauthorization of the Higher Education Act must address making postsecondary education affordable and accessible to all.

The Public Service Loan Forgiveness program is an investment in our nation’s values of public service and community involvement.

NEA supports creating a pathway to a postsecondary degree by eliminating community college tuition.

Institutions need incentives to invest in a predominantly full-time, tenure-track faculty and improve working conditions for adjunct or “contingent” faculty.

Broad-based college debt cancellation would stimulate the economy, promote racial justice, and help Americans out of the pandemic’s economic depression.

Take Action!

Support strong public schools by taking these actions today.

Tell Congress to support a budget bill that invests in higher education

The current reconciliation bill contains $111 billion for higher education programs and federal student aid, including tuition-free community college and investments to historically Black colleges and universities and other minority-serving institutions.

Take Action: Cancel Student Debt

No matter who we are or how much we make, we should all have the opportunity to learn without limits. But the astronomical cost of higher education—even public higher education—forces many students to either forgo their dreams or be trapped in a lifetime of debt. The student debt crisis is not accidental—it is working exactly as designed by lawmakers, banks, and loan servicers. Immediate and broad cancellation of federal student loan debt is a necessary step to ensure we all can thrive—no exceptions.

Urge Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona to take immediate action to cancel both the student loan debt of public service workers with at least 10 years of service, and $50,000 in student debt for all other federal loans.

Bills in Congress

HR 5380

A bill to require institutions of higher education to notify students of the impact of private scholarships and grants on eligibility for institutional financial aid, and for other purposes.

S 744

This bill requires institutions of higher education (IHEs) that participate in federal student-aid programs to report hazing incidents and implement hazing education programs.

HR 2525

This bill requires institutions of higher education (IHEs) that participate in federal student-aid programs to report hazing incidents and implement hazing education programs.