At the second and final AHEAD Committee negotiated rulemaking session, the Dept. of Ed reached agreement on proposed earnings accountability and transparency metrics for Title IV programs. Read our full recap with IHEP here: buff.ly/FGms9hK

TICAS’ Michele Zampini spoke with CBS News about wage garnishment, the end of the SAVE plan, and what student loan borrowers should look out for in 2026. Watch more here: bit.ly/3Z8Gjdc

New Year, New Playbook from our MI team. We'll continue to anchor our work in access, affordability, & success in our policy priorities. Our goal with our policy priorities is for prgms & systems statewide to adopt more student-centered solutions. buff.ly/GUQ0PKV

Policy shapes how people access college and what it takes to stay there. We want to hear from students and borrowers navigating that firsthand. buff.ly/eQsjOHF

With federal impacts set to affect Californians, @governor.ca.gov's 26–27 proposed budget includes solid investments for #CA students. We look forward to working together to advance equity, support student success, and strengthen affordable, accessible #HigherEd. buff.ly/62hqoix

TICAS' Michele Zampini spoke with The Columbus Dispatch about the end of the SAVE plan, saying, "Hopefully the department doesn't make borrowers move out of SAVE before the new IDR is set up; it could create a lot of backlogs." Read more here: buff.ly/pbenHAW

The Dept of Ed plans to end the debt-to-earnings test in the current #GE rule. TICAS' Christopher Madaio says the Dept should evaluate programs’ debt-to-earnings ratios & have schools disclose which programs fail so students can make informed choices. buff.ly/1skvNfb

When asked about student loan default, TICAS's Interim President & Executive VP, Jessica Thompson, says the biggest risk factor across the board is those who started school but didn't complete & were unable to get the return on the investment. More here:

With our recent survey showing that nearly half of borrowers are making trade-offs of loan payments & basic needs, our AVP Michele Zampini says, “We are concerned that people are not going to be able to afford their payments.” More from @nytimes.com here:

What do #HigherEd experts think of the consolidation of repayment plans? TICAS' AVP Michele Zampini is "really concerned there’s going to be even more chaos and confusion." Read more from @washingtonpost.com here:

What barriers did you face that had nothing to do with academics? buff.ly/eQsjOHF

ICYMI: Our survey, which we commissioned Data for Progress to conduct, dives into the experiences countless Americans across the country are facing. Read more below 👇 bsky.app/profile/did:...

Our latest survey reveals that 62% of people don’t trust the federal gov't to deliver on student loan benefits, which heightens our concern about a looming "default cliff" as borrowers across the country struggle to repay their student loans. Topline results from our survey here: buff.ly/w4seZUE

Mass firings and chaotic policy changes at the Department of Education have pushed the agency into dysfunction. If you’ve struggled to get the help you need, we want to hear from you: what’s been your experience with the Department of Education? buff.ly/eQsjOHF

According to TICAS's NY #HigherEd expert, Kirsten Keefe “The structure of TAP contributes to inequities that make college less affordable for the very students the program was designed to help." Read more here: buff.ly/utoThPE

This year, our Michigan team centered student and practitioner voices while advancing policy change & investment. Our advocacy theme, From Pipe Parts to a Pipeline, focused on strengthening connections across Michigan’s education-to-workforce systems. Our annual impact report here: buff.ly/9geXoXH

1/3 As we close out 2025 and our 20th anniversary year, we are reminded that the heart of TICAS’ work has never changed. Since our inception in February 2005, we have worked to ensure that students can pursue a quality postsecondary degree without incurring crippling debt.

Last week, the Dept. of Ed began negotiated rulemaking with the AHEAD Committee to review proposed Pell Grant changes, including expanding Workforce Pell to short-term job training programs. Read the full recap here: buff.ly/CzkdDUL

Wondering what happens next for student loan borrowers in the SAVE plan? The road ahead may be bumpy, as the Department of Education plans to conduct a negotiated rulemaking to effectuate the settlement but has not provided a timeline. More here: buff.ly/U4T6OxA

Your experience with higher ed can help shape a better system. Share your story: buff.ly/eQsjOHF

TRIO supports a more equitable #HigherEd system, helping students from underrepresented backgrounds access the resources and opportunities they need to succeed.

TICAS' Chris Madaio says w/more Pell Grants being extended to short-term programs, "these programs should pay off for students, give good value, & use students' limited lifetime Pell Grant eligibility for something that will work for them & potentially allow them to get a job later." buff.ly/DGoujkI

According to TICAS, #HigherEd expert Michele Zampini says that often the only way for borrowers to stay out of default is "enrolling in an income-based repayment plan that lowers their monthly payment." Read more in CNBC here: buff.ly/NAODFSL

Our recent poll findings reveal the stark reality that student loan borrowers face. TICAS' Michele Zampini says, “Ultimately, borrowers today have fewer resources than ever to navigate their repayment options, and those options are ever-shifting.” Learn more from Open Campus here:

Our recent poll "brings even greater urgency to ongoing concerns about a looming ‘default cliff,’ where an unprecedented number of borrowers struggle so much to repay their loans that they default on their payments in droves," said TICAS' Michele Zampini.

TICAS' Tanya I. Garcia, PhD, warned that "the information needed to make these decisions just doesn’t exist" when asked whether noncredit workforce programs should qualify for Workforce Pell, because state data systems rarely track noncredit outcomes. More here:

Congratulations to the Michigan Senate for passing bills SB232 and SB233 to lower the age of eligibility for the Michigan Reconnect program from 25 to 21. Voting to lower the age of eligibility will put more degrees, skilled certificates, and credential opportunities in reach for Michiganders.

ICYMI: Last week, we recognized @durbin.senate.gov for his decades of leadership supporting students and borrowers with a lifetime achievement award honoring his work. Read the full press release here: buff.ly/ljU9xtF

The Total and Permanent Disability discharge program provides vital student loan relief, but confusion about eligibility can keep borrowers from getting help. Our new blog explains what medical professionals need to know to help their patients access debt relief: buff.ly/dxpqOmG

With the Dept of Ed moving to end the SAVE plan, borrowers enrolled in it are now facing chaos. TICAS' Michele Zampini says, “The more than 7 million borrowers in SAVE will face higher monthly payments & may lose out on months of progress toward loan forgiveness.” More here: buff.ly/7pp7OJu

Did you know that more than 42% of federal student loan borrowers say their monthly payments are making it harder to cover basic needs? Our latest survey, commissioned by TICAS and conducted by Data for Progress, highlights real-world impacts on borrowers. More in @cnbc.com here: buff.ly/A1fzGZw

Today the Dept. of Ed announced a proposed settlement that would end the SAVE repayment plan. If approved, it would stop new enrollments for SAVE, deny pending SAVE applications, and move all SAVE borrowers into other plans. Read more on this here: buff.ly/6SDRd8Y

For decades, NY's Tuition Assistance Program has supported college affordability. But its structure leaves Independent students from low-income backgrounds with smaller awards & taking on more debt. Our analysis shows how NY TAP can better align with economic & equity goals: buff.ly/Lq1i9zF

As families across the nation face ever-rising living costs, student loan burdens continue to exacerbate financial struggles for millions. New polling shows the real-world impact on borrowers: buff.ly/yFxVcXj

Noncredit workforce prgms are gaining nat'l attention as some push to make them eligible for Workforce #Pell. Historically, these programs have left students worse off, highlighting the critical role states must play in protecting current & future learners. buff.ly/I1gddh8

We are fighting every day for a #HigherEd system that works for all students. This #GivingTuesday, your gift strengthens that mission and expands our reach. ▶️ Learn more about TICAS: buff.ly/4g759R8 ▶️ Donate: buff.ly/4g759R8

The Department of Education is mired in dysfunction, and it’s only getting worse. Repayment help is delayed. Loan forgiveness is paused. Even getting questions answered can take months. What’s been your experience with the Department of Education? buff.ly/37KZFZ8

Asked about how limits on Grad Plus Loans will impact low-income students & students of color, TICAS' Michele Zampini said, “They have less generational wealth and parental income to draw on, & so they are facing higher out-of-pocket costs & in turn cover those costs through loans."

1/2 We are excited to release the third edition of the TICAS State Policy Digest. This quarter's focus is on states’ key role in implementing Workforce Pell and major #HigherEd policy updates.

The student loan system is stuck. So are the people in it. If that’s you, we want to hear your story. buff.ly/37KZFZ8

A new op-ed from TICAS’ Kirsten Keefe highlights why investing in disadvantaged college students will pay dividends. With the federal government retreating from its responsibilities, New York must find new ways to lead. Read the full piece here: buff.ly/KkN0VHX

"The longer that students and other SNAP participants don’t receive their funds, this is just more days that students are going to have to make these difficult decisions." - TICAS' Deborah Martin via @the74.bsky.social. Read more here: buff.ly/Zb1vUH6

Join our team! TICAS is seeking a leader to oversee our federal work and strengthen the coalition behind our policy priorities. This is a remote role, with a preference for candidates in the DC area: buff.ly/NzLqOhp

1/3 Today, the U.S. Department of Education announced its move to transfer responsibilities to other agencies, which will undermine education and create confusion for families, students, and schools. buff.ly/XExh9rb

In honor of 20 years of TICAS, our staff shared their reflections on our mission and vision. Learn more about our anniversary: buff.ly/xdpDtMI

The student loan system is stuck. So are the people in it. If that’s you, we want to hear your story. buff.ly/4sL2hg8

We’re hiring! TICAS is looking for someone to lead our federal efforts and build a broad coalition of support for our policy agenda. This is a remote role, with a preference for candidates in the DC area: buff.ly/NzLqOhp

#HigherEd basic needs advocates worry about the return of #SNAP benefits. TICAS’ Erika Roberson tells The 74 Million that receiving benefits will help students focus on their studies instead of their next meal. buff.ly/YOu327Z

An op-ed from TICAS’ Emmanuel Rodriguez and the HERE Lab’s Laura Hamilton highlights an overlooked group: students from low- or middle-income households with little or no family wealth. As fed cuts loom, supporting CA's dually disadvantaged is essential. buff.ly/qq25pvk

We are deeply grateful for our president, Sameer Gadkaree’s, leadership over the past four years. Sameer will be stepping down as President & CEO. Our Board will be conducting a nationwide search. Interested parties should contact: [email protected] buff.ly/O5HtJk0