Dive Brief:
- The U.S. House of Representatives passed five bills this week aimed at improving college access and affordability for students nationwide.
- The bills require students to undergo more financial aid counseling, streamline applying for federal student aid, and increase degree and capital financing capacity for minority-serving institutions.
- The bills target some of the simpler elements of the federal Higher Education Act.
Dive Insight:
The bipartisan bills passed earlier this week have a strong chance of passing in the U.S. Senate, considering that none of the language requires states to take on excessive spending or to overhaul college service delivery to students. In fact, the increased resources for families may present some opportunities for smaller institutions to lobby for additional funding to meet the new service standards.
For historically black colleges and hispanic-serving institutions, those campuses with small numbers in financial aid staff and limited technology may be able to appeal for more Title III funding to meet the new requirements. Additionally, the language may allow smaller schools to make a better case for degree strengthening resources, which can encourage faster completion and remedial resources for students at the margins.