Affordability & Need-Based Aid

Need-based aid does more than make college more affordable – it makes college possible.

Predicating college access and attainment on a student’s ability to pay only worsens existing inequities. Targeted need-based aid programs have a proven track record of disrupting inequities in college access, persistence, and success. As state investment and the purchasing power of need-based financial aid remain stagnant or even decline, today’s students face affordability challenges that threaten to derail their college dreams.

We promote affordable postsecondary education for today’s students by identifying financial challenges, examining innovative approaches to address them, calling to protect need-based aid and support at the federal, state, and institutional levels, and working with policymakers and practitioners to advance strategies and policies that prioritize need-based investment in students.