To Whom It May Concern:
The Presidents Forum represents 16 higher education institutions serving approximately one million students nationwide. Our association is committed to fostering accountable innovation, serving working learners, and prioritizing student success through high-quality, accessible education. After reviewing the House Education and Workforce Committee’s reconciliation legislation, we wish to highlight several important considerations as this process moves forward.
We are encouraged by elements of the bill that promote student success. Specifically, we applaud the expansion of Pell Grant eligibility to short-term, workforce-aligned programs and the commitment to maintaining essential funding for the Pell Grant program. We applaud the House for not excluding online programs, which are essential to a modern, inclusive higher education system. These provisions will help ensure that higher education remains accessible to students seeking to advance their careers through targeted educational opportunities.
We have concerns about other aspects of the legislation. The elimination of subsidized loans would increase the cost of attendance for low income individuals, and the proposed requirement for students to complete 30 credits annually to maintain Pell Grant eligibility (versus the current 12-credit-per-semester standard) creates significant barriers for working adults pursuing higher education. Students who would otherwise use Pell grants to pursue a degree may opt out rather than take additional credit hours they cannot manage due to work or other commitments. These changes make it harder for non-traditional students—especially working adults—to access higher education and improve their lives.
We support accountability measures for both students and institutions. Student outcomes should be the primary basis for accountability measures, rather than focusing on process inputs. Under any financial risk sharing arrangements institutions should have the ability to restrict federal loans for specific programs where appropriate. Additionally, the Department should be required to regularly report to Congress on the effectiveness of risk-sharing provisions.
The Presidents Forum stands ready to engage in further dialogue on these critical issues and serve as an essential voice for working learners in higher education policy discussions. Our member institutions’ deep experience in serving non-traditional students provides valuable insights that can help shape policies that truly support student success and workforce development. We welcome the opportunity to collaborate with policymakers to ensure that higher education remains accessible and effective for all learners.
Sincerely,
Wesley Smith
Executive Director
Presidents Forum