TICAS

A degree doesn’t just change one life, it ripples across families and communities. That’s the power of completion. #CollegeCompletionDay 🎓

Join the #HigherEd community as we celebrate #CollegeCompletionDay tomorrow and see why finishing college matters! It’s not just a moment. It’s a movement.

A new #HigherEd brief from @ChildTrends and @RANDCorporation finds that financial aid and public benefits participation strongly predict degree completion. Learn about their rec's to ensure basic needs programs support students pursuing postsecondary ed: buff.ly/pLa5g0c

@NewsHour Are you overwhelmed and confused by the barrage of announcements and information about federal student loans coming your way? Access our Borrower Resource Hub to learn what we know and what we don't about upcoming changes to student loan repayment: buff.ly/ieAI9hn

"All signs are pointing toward worse default rates than ever." ICYMI: TICAS' Michele Zampini spoke with @NewsHour last week about the looming default crisis as the SAVE plan disappears, leaving borrowers in the lurch. buff.ly/ENXZTkf

Your experience with higher ed can help shape a better system. Share your story here: buff.ly/yZ5iqF8

NEW | Federal cuts to key student success programs are threatening colleges serving low-income, first-gen, and rural students. Cuts to TRIO mean fewer staff, fewer services, and less support for students. Funding stability must remain a priority. buff.ly/UjB84mZ

🚨NEW PRESIDENT🚨 We’re thrilled to announce higher ed expert and seasoned executive Jen Mishory as the new leader of TICAS. Jen brings a strong record of leading high-impact teams and advocating fiercely on behalf of students. Welcome, Jen! Read more: buff.ly/mHp8nmo

TICAS’ Michele Zampini spoke with PBS News about the increase in people defaulting on their student loans, saying, “All signs are pointing toward worse default rates than ever.” Read more from PBS News here: buff.ly/ENXZTkf

2/2 “TICAS applauds the legislature’s continued, unified commitment to ensuring that every Michigander has a more affordable pathway to the postsecondary degrees or credentials they need to thrive.” buff.ly/OacC8oF

1/2 Last week, the MI House and Senate shared proposals for the 2026–27 state budget, with both plans aligned on critical investments for #HigherEd across the state. In response, TICAS Sr. VP Jessica Thompson shared the following:

2/2 Read our new blog, where TICAS’ CA #HigherEd expert @MannyRodri7 breaks down what’s happening and how to address it: buff.ly/bWNdZ5N

1/2 As AI-driven FAFSA fraud rises, under-resourced #FinAid offices face a difficult balancing act: protecting taxpayer dollars without creating additional barriers for the students that #FinAid is meant to help.

Did you know that more than four in ten borrowers are making tradeoffs between student loan payments and covering their basic needs? Our survey from last year shows that student loan borrowers are struggling to keep up. Read more here from CNBC: buff.ly/MOQf4df

2/2 Now headed to the governor, this important legislation includes protections to help ensure Maryland students are not steered into programs that are unaffordable, low-quality, or not in full compliance with federal law. Read more about the bill here: buff.ly/JoNrHTN

1/2 Last week, the Maryland General Assembly passed SB 509, which TICAS’ Christopher Madaio testified in support of and provides a framework for Maryland's implementation of federal Workforce Pell Grants.

Join TICAS along with experts from EdTrust West, uAspire, and UC Merced’s HERE Lab on April 20 to explore how we can boost financial aid uptake, strengthen college affordability in CA, and better target need-based aid using other indicators of wealth. buff.ly/yyBXjOC

@SashaReneePerez @SenStevePadilla We're proud to partner with @EdTrust, @ChildrenNow, and @PublicAdvocates in co-sponsoring this legislation. Read more in our Californians for College Affordability budget priorities: buff.ly/DFlqZ2z

@SashaReneePerez We urge legislative leaders to fund SB 1006 by @SenStevePadilla, which would ensure that #CalGrantB access awards, which the lowest income students receive to help cover critical non-tuition college costs, do not continue to lose value.

We are grateful for @SashaReneePerez's commitment to college affordability and her comments at yesterday's CA Senate Budget hearing on strengthening the #CalGrant through a phased approach.