In an increasingly competitive global marketplace, a strong higher education infrastructure and a well-educated population are important to ensure economic innovation and competitiveness.
Student Financial Aid
- ̽»¨Â¥ strongly supports federal funding for financial aid to ensure that all qualified students have access to higher education.
- ̽»¨Â¥ strongly urges maintenance of the current maximum Pell Grant Award, as well as the restoration of year-round Pell Grants. The association supports the improvement of gatekeeping for the Pell Grant program so that every dollar of federal support reaches students most in need.
Student Loans
- ̽»¨Â¥ endorses the Education Department's role as the sole originator of federal student loans. The association strongly opposes any expansion of the role of private actors in providing federal student loans.
- Private lenders expose students to predatory practices, while doing little to reduce college costs or student loan amounts.
- The association supports flexible and reasonable repayment options, tailored to individual circumstances that will help students manage their educational debt more responsibly.
- ̽»¨Â¥ also believes that Congress should restore a pre-2005 provision in the bankruptcy code to allow for discharge of privately-issued student loans in bankruptcy.
Research
- ̽»¨Â¥ endorses federal support of critical research initiatives at colleges and universities and strongly believes that this support has contributed significantly to the nation's global leadership in research and innovation.