The big picture: Chancellor David Andrews from UMass Global and President Brian Blake of Georgia State University, reframed what it means to make higher education easier. It’s not about lowering standards — it’s about smarter design, stronger connections to work, and...
Western Governors University: Responsible Borrowing Initiative
Western Governors University: Responsible Borrowing Initiative
The big picture
WGU’s Responsible Borrowing Initiative (RBI) has saved students hundreds of millions in unnecessary debt through a simple but revolutionary approach – informing students about their borrowing and suggesting lower amounts.
Why it matters
With student debt reaching crisis levels nationally, WGU’s program demonstrates how basic information sharing can dramatically reduce student borrowing without any regulatory changes.
The impact
The award-winning program has influenced:
- Tennessee’s adoption of RBI concepts across public higher education
- Department of Education’s development of an annual student loan acknowledgment system
- Multiple states implementing annual student loan notices
What’s next
The College Cost Reduction Act, currently moving through Congress, could adopt similar affordability and accountability measures nationwide.
The bottom line
Simple process changes around debt awareness and responsible borrowing can have massive impacts on student financial outcomes.
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