January 17, 2025

AccessLex Updates Its Key Policy and Funding Recommendations

By:
Monica Konaté, Policy Manager
|
Policy and Advocacy
View from behind of students seated in a classroom facing their instructor at the front of the room.

Higher education policy is always evolving, reflecting our shifting economic realities and the ensuing needs of students. Because of this, it’s important that we periodically revisit our priorities to ensure that higher education remains accessible and affordable for all. In this spirit, AccessLex Institute recently published our updated Higher Education Funding and Policy Recommendations which address the current challenges that students face and offer policy recommendations for Congress to improve and strengthen graduate and professional education. AccessLex is actively educating and advocating members of Congress to adopt these recommendations, and we encourage readers to join in these advocacy efforts to help shape higher education policy.

Key Updates in Our Recommendations

Our policy recommendations focus on a range of critical areas including decreasing loan costs, increasing support for minority-serving institutions, and providing students with greater consumer information and counseling. In this latest edition, we have introduced several updates that address some of the most pressing issues facing students today:

  • Child Care Support: Recognizing the challenges faced by student-parents, we recommend that Congress increase funding and resources for on-campus child care services with programs such as the Child Care Access Means Parents in School (CCAMPIS) program. This support is crucial for enabling parents to effectively balance their educational and family responsibilities.
  • Income-Driven Repayment (IDR) Plans: IDR plans are designed to ensure that loan repayments are affordable, based on the borrower's income, and can significantly reduce the financial burden on graduates. Given the challenges these plans currently face, we urge Congress to ensure that an affordable IDR plan remains available to borrowers. Additionally, we ask that IDR plans are more accessible and manageable so borrowers have an experience that minimizes stress and maximizes the potential for successful repayment outcomes.
  • Emergency Funds: To help students navigate unexpected financial crises, we recommend Congress create a higher education emergency fund program, similar to the one created in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. These funds can provide immediate assistance for unforeseen expenses, helping students stay on track with their education.
  • Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF): We call for the preservation and strengthening of the PSLF program. This program is vital for encouraging graduates to pursue careers in public service by offering loan forgiveness after a period of qualifying employment.
  • Lower Taxes: We propose that Congress consider making permanent a tax incentive that would allow any student debt forgiveness provided to borrowers, whether in part or in whole, to be done on a tax-free basis. Doing this would help prevent causing an undue financial burden on the most vulnerable borrowers.
  • Financial Aid Offer Letters: We recommend that Congress standardize financial aid offer letters to ensure clarity and transparency. This would help students and their families better understand the true cost of their education and make more informed financial decisions. Clear and consistent information about grants, loans, and work-study opportunities is essential for effective financial planning.

These updates are not just policy changes; they are transformative steps towards a more equitable and supportive higher education system. By implementing these recommendations, we can address some of the most significant barriers to higher education thereby increasing retention and graduation rates, reducing financial stress for students and graduates, and promoting careers in public service.

We invite you to read our full recommendations and explore all of our priorities in detail. Your support and engagement are crucial as we work together to create a more affordable and accessible higher education landscape.

Check out some of AccessLex Institute’s relevant advocacy resources: