TICAS’ Michele Zampini spoke with PBS News about the increase in people defaulting on their student loans, saying, “All signs are pointing toward worse default rates than ever.” Read more from PBS News here: buff.ly/ENXZTkf

1/2 Last week, the MI House and Senate shared proposals for the 2026–27 state budget, with both plans aligned on critical investments for #HigherEd across the state. In response, TICAS Sr. VP Jessica Thompson shared the following:

1/2 As AI-driven FAFSA fraud rises, under-resourced #FinAid offices face a difficult balancing act: protecting taxpayer dollars without creating additional barriers for the students that #FinAid is meant to help.

ICYMI: TICAS’ Anti-Poverty & Basic Needs expert Erika Roberson released a blog last week highlighting why investing in #BasicNeeds resources for parenting students means investing in a stronger economy. Read her insights ⬇️

NEXT WEEK | Join TICAS and fellow #HigherEd experts from EdTrust-West, uAspire, and UC Merced’s HERE Lab this Monday to discuss solutions to strengthen affordability and better target need-based aid in California. Register here: buff.ly/yyBXjOC

Did you know that more than four in ten borrowers are making tradeoffs between student loan payments and covering their basic needs? Our survey from last year shows that student loan borrowers are struggling to keep up. Read more here from CNBC:

1/2 For parenting students, non-tuition costs are often a major barrier, forcing them to take on more work while leaving less time for school. More than half of parenting students leave college without earning a degree or credential.

Join TICAS and fellow #HigherEd experts from EdTrust-West, uAspire, and UC Merced’s HERE Lab on April 20 to hear about efforts to strengthen college affordability statewide, with a focus on investments in need-based financial aid for non-tuition costs such as housing and food. buff.ly/yyBXjOC

We are excited to welcome Brianna Huynh to TICAS! She is joining us as a Research Associate. Brianna’s policy work is informed by her own educational journey, and she brings prior experience working across state and national nonprofits to advance access to higher education. Welcome, Brianna!

1/2 Last week, the Maryland General Assembly passed SB 509, which TICAS’ Christopher Madaio testified in support of and provides a framework for Maryland's implementation of federal Workforce Pell Grants.

Last week, we submitted public comment in response to ED's Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, “Accountability in Higher Education and Access through Demand-Driven Workforce Pell." We offer recs to protect students & ensure Workforce Pell programs are high-quality and deliver value. buff.ly/sHKRszS

Join TICAS along with experts from EdTrust West, uAspire, and UC Merced’s HERE Lab on April 20 to explore how we can boost financial aid uptake, strengthen college affordability in CA, and better target need-based aid using other indicators of wealth. buff.ly/yyBXjOC

“A college degree remains our nation’s greatest social mobility tool. If passed, the president's budget would put a degree—and middle-class life— further out of reach for millions.” Read more from TICAS Interim President Jessica Thompson on the President’s proposed budget: buff.ly/lch5zMR

The biggest barriers to college success aren’t always academic. They’re financial. They’re systemic. What’s your experience? buff.ly/eQsjOHF

ICYMI: Last week, TICAS’ Laura Szabo-Kubitz testified for Senate Bill 1006, which strengthens Cal Grants, reduces student debt and work burdens, and boosts full-time enrollment. The bill passed the Senate Education Committee with bipartisan support and now heads to Senate Appropriations.

TICAS' Michele Zampini spoke w/NerdWallet about the deadline for borrowers enrolled in SAVE nationwide to switch, saying, "If this takes longer than ED initially plans, ED must give borrowers more time & flexibility and hold borrowers harmless for any processing delays." More here:

We joined 65+ #HigherEd orgs to urge #Congress to act immediately to provide new funding that fully covers the current and projected #PellGrant shortfall. More from Inside Higher Ed here: buff.ly/0wC5h0U

#HigherEd expert Michele Zampini spoke with The Washington Post on what Parent Plus borrowers must do to keep access to affordable repayment options before July 1, as new restrictions from last summer’s OBB take effect.

Black students at for-profit colleges face high debt, poor outcomes, and misleading recruitment. TICAS’ Lydia Franz explains more with Rolling Out: buff.ly/HAL5b5V

Good policy recommendations can make college more accessible and affordable. Here’s what we’re calling for in our policy agenda ➡️

There's a lot of talk about college affordability. But what does that actually feel like when you’re inside the system? buff.ly/eQsjOHF

65+ #HigherEd orgs came together to urge #Congress to act immediately to provide new funding that fully covers the current and projected #PellGrant shortfall. Read the full letter here: buff.ly/b9eV9D4

Thank you to the Assembly Higher Education Committee for voting to pass AB 1543 which would establish key consumer protections guardrails on Workforce Pell in California. #CALeg #WorkforcePell

New Blog | The student debt crisis is affecting local communities, economies, and workforces. States need to be prepared for federal student lending changes and take action to protect student borrowers. Read more here: buff.ly/hIu02rN

1/2 Today TICAS’ Manny Rodriguez shared testimony in support of Assembly Bill 1534 by Assemblymember Irwin which provides structure for California’s implementation of the federal Workforce Pell Grants.

Join TICAS to lead initiatives in Michigan, focusing on student-centered policies around affordability, graduation, essential needs, and borrower protection. This is a remote position, with a preference for candidates based in Michigan. buff.ly/NQ2CefD

We spoke with The 19th about the long-term effects of OBBB. #HigherEd expert Michele Zampini says that, "Borrowers will see unpredictable payment spikes whenever their income crosses certain arbitrary thresholds. They could be penalized for small cost-of-living raises.”

Your experience with higher ed can help shape a better system. Share your story here: buff.ly/yZ5iqF8

Join TICAS and lead efforts in Michigan to advance student-centered policies on affordability, completion, basic needs, and borrower protections. This is a remote role, with preference for Michigan-based candidates. buff.ly/NQ2CefD

Last week, our team went to the Hill to meet with members of #Congress and share what students & borrowers are experiencing across the country, along with key recommendations from our policy agenda to help ensure students can earn a high-quality postsec degree w/o burdensome debt. buff.ly/JWfNRGd

For too many Black students, repaying student loans is a heavier burden. Stronger oversight and protections are needed to stop predatory practices and ensure fair access to higher education. Learn more here: buff.ly/e2G1BbE

1/2 Institutional debt, commonly in the form of unpaid tuition, has far reaching consequences for students, with students of color and lower-income students often disproportionately impacted.

1/3 Today TICAS’ Christopher Madaio offered testimony in support of MD Senate Bill 590 which provides structure for Maryland’s implementation of the federal Workforce Pell.

Black students at for-profit colleges often face disappointing outcomes, high debt, and misleading recruitment. Without strong oversight, these risks will grow. State leaders must step in and demand stronger protections and transparency for students. buff.ly/e2G1BbE

Our 2026 federal policy agenda offers recommendations for Congress to strengthen our nation’s #HigherEd system and ensure it provides equitable opportunities for all Americans to achieve financial security. Read it here: buff.ly/JWfNRGd

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/yZ5iqF8

Join TICAS and lead efforts in Michigan to advance student-centered policies on affordability, completion, basic needs, and borrower protections. This is a remote role, with preference for Michigan-based candidates. buff.ly/NQ2CefD

85+ organizations came together to urge #Congress protect borrowers from economic harm as the proposed rule under the Reimagining and Improving Student Education (RISE) Negotiated Rulemaking is finalized and implemented. Read the full comment here: buff.ly/CHzRnrQ

Earlier this week we submitted a public comment in response to ED's Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, “Reimagining and Improving Student Education." Offering recommendations to improve outcomes and clarity for borrowers. Read our comment here: buff.ly/bKbGvRs

For-profit schools lead to bigger debt burdens at institutions with majority Black student populations. It is critical that state leaders protect historically marginalized students. Read the detailed findings here: buff.ly/e2G1BbE

ED is considering changing the definition of who is considered a "professional" student, which will determine which programs qualify for higher loan limits. TICAS' Michele Zampini anticipates that this will cause more students to turn to the private borrowing market instead. buff.ly/JkV8L7I

There's a lot of talk about college affordability. But what does that actually feel like when you’re inside the system? buff.ly/eQsjOHF

TICAS’s Kirsten Keefe, Sr. Director of Policy & Advocacy for NY, is providing testimony at NY’s FY 26–27 Joint Legislative Budget Hearing on #HigherEd. Our focus is on proposals included in the Executive Budget that address basic needs, college access & completion, & student consumer protections.

The biggest barriers to college success aren’t always academic. They’re financial. They’re systemic. What’s your experience? buff.ly/1iMOnMg

Our recent analysis shows that under #RAP the median U.S. household, with a family of four and an income of $81,000, could see its monthly payment spike from $36 under #SAVE to $440. Read more from @CNBC.com here:

Last chance to apply! We’re seeking a Research Associate to assist in research that will make original contributions to the national debate on #HigherEd. buff.ly/85oTmLd

We’re hiring! We’re seeking a Research Associate to conduct analytical work that advances equity-forward, student-centered, and data-informed policies. Apply here: buff.ly/85oTmLd

1/2 Last week, the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) released new funding projections, which show that if Congress doesn’t act, #PellGrant funding will face a gap of $5.4 billion for FY 2026 and $11.5 billion in FY 2027.

We’re hiring! We’re looking for a Research Associate to help design and implement research to inform federal and state #HigherEd policy. buff.ly/85oTmLd

We’re hiring! We’re seeking a Research Associate to contribute to research that makes original contributions to the national debate on #HigherEd. Learn more here: buff.ly/85oTmLd