The Higher Education Act – legislation from 1965 that governs federal higher education programs – is supposed to be renewed every five years. It hasn’t been reauthorized in over a decade.
But on Tuesday, Democrats in the House Committee on Education and Labor introduced the College Affordability Act, a first stab at a broad overhaul of the higher education legislation.
“There’s a lot in there that would advance socioeconomic and racial equity in higher ed,” said Dr. Tiffany Jones, director of higher education policy at The Education Trust. “It’s the most comprehensive attempt to reauthorize the Higher Education Act this Congress.”
For Jones, the critical question was, “What does it actually mean in terms of outcomes for low-income students and students of color?”
Her answer is, quite a lot but not enough.
The 1,165-page document includes a slew of reforms aimed at making college more affordable for underrepresented students.
Some highlights:
