TICAS

There's a lot of talk about college affordability. But what does that actually feel like when you’re inside the system? buff.ly/eQsjOHF

📢New Report Online higher education has grown rapidly — but where is the money going? A new investigation from PPSL's Eileen Connor finds that non-profit and public institutions offering online programs often spend more on marketing and recruitment than on student instruction, while relying heavily on digital advertising and enrollment contractors to drive growth. Check out the business models behind these programs and what it means for students in the full report, "Attract to Extract: How Nonprofit and Public Institutions Target Students Online for Profit":  ppsl.org/onlinehighered…

2/2 Our comment responds to the Dept.’s directed questions and offers recommendations to further strengthen the final rule and ensure #PostSec programs that are eligible for the Direct Loan program have a minimum return on student and taxpayer investment. buff.ly/FYc8alH

1/2 We submitted public comment in response to the U.S. Department of Education’s Notice of Proposed Rulemaking AHEAD.

2/2 It is imperative that the Department implement our recommendations, which would not only strengthen the protections in regulations but also avoid replicating past institutional program integrity failures. buff.ly/zQT4mxO

1/2 TICAS came together with 18 student-focused organizations in a comment submitted for the U.S. Department of Education's notice of proposed rulemaking, Accountability in Higher Education and Access through Demand-Driven Workforce Pell (AHEAD).

ICYMI: Last week, California Governor Gavin Newsom released his budget revision for the upcoming fiscal year. According to our Higher Ed expert Manny Rodriguez, with this yr's tax revenues better than expected, policymakers need to choose to invest in our future workforce today.

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.