Understanding Information Security and Privacy in Postsecondary Education Data Systems
Published May 2016
With the rising concerns over student loan debt and its impact on postsecondary education financing, access to comprehensive data about federal student aid programs is crucial for policymakers, advocates, and researchers. The Office of Federal Student Aid (FSA) manages a trillion-dollar loan portfolio and administers billions of dollars in loans and grants annually, making it a vital component of the national postsecondary data infrastructure. However, FSA’s rich data often remain underutilized by policy analysts and researchers due to limited access. This paper outlines a range of systematic solutions to increase data access and dissemination, facilitating more effective policy analysis and improving aid program administration. By fostering collaboration between FSA, researchers, and stakeholders, these solutions can drive informed decision-making and strengthen the efficiency of federal student aid programs.
This paper is part of Envisioning the National Postsecondary Data Infrastructure in the 21st Century.