While a college education is more important than ever, students face unprecedented challenges in financing the cost. Policymakers across the country are faced with designing financial aid programs that foster postsecondary access and completion.
Education Commission of the States, with support from Strada Education Network, is addressing this critical issue during an intensive project focused on bringing state financial aid policies in alignment with college completion goals. Through advancing principles to guide state aid policymaking, providing a 50-state policy database, and supporting states through targeted technical assistance, Education Commission of the States is examining promising practices in state financial aid and assisting states in advancing policy. To learn more, please visit the State Financial Aid Redesign website. On the website you can access the following resources:
- 50-state policy database
- Principles to guide state aid policymaking
- Recorded webcast of the project launch, which took place at the National Press Club on April 29, 2015 and includes a panel discussion with experts on state financial aid.
- Redesigning state financial aid infographic
Over the past two years, Education Commission of the States supported a variety of state-level projects to redesign state financial aid. Make sure to read this report to discover lessons learned from each of these efforts. Education Commission of the States is currently supporting state leaders with another round of technical assistance.
