About

Historically, the federal role in higher education has focused on aiding students to attend the college of their choice. Federal aid is distributed based on a student’s need, not on the type of institution the student attends.

In recent years, various proposals have been made to shift the federal focus to address state budget cuts to public colleges by supporting those institutions through federal incentive funds.  Such proposals are less likely to target low-income students - on whom the policy conversation at the federal level must remain focused.

History and Background

When Congress developed the Education Amendments of 1972, the higher education debate focused on whether the federal investment should be targeted to students or to institutions. Ultimately, there was strong bipartisan agreement that students should receive assistance to attend the college of their choice. This policy decision has had remarkable success in democratizing American higher education, and in encouraging states and institutions to provide their own aid to make college affordable to those of moderate means. The Higher Education Act maintains this tradition.

The notion of targeted federal funds for public colleges reemerged as part of the economic stimulus bill in 2009. Public colleges – which had felt the pressure of state budget cuts and responded with increased tuition – received temporary federal funding to maintain state educational services.  This funding did not help low-income students.  As those dollars wind down, state colleges are looking for additional funds from the federal government.  Legislation (see full bill here) introduced in 2014 would have created a major new federal program for state colleges that would have produced little likely benefit for low-income students.