College Completion Day 2026 is just a month away 🎓 We’re counting down to our celebration of the students who made it across the finish line.

Grab the social media toolkit --> buff.ly/h876HIQ

AIMing for Innovation and Student Protections in College Accreditation Third Way is a national think tank and advocacy organization that champions moderate policy and political ideas. Our work on the center left acts as a critical bulwark against political extremism.

Innovation without regulation isn’t good for anyone. As ED pushes for “innovation”, negotiators must ensure it actually improves student learning, not strips away the guardrails that protect students from paying more for less. More in our latest memo 💡

State Loans Could Help Fill the Graduate School Affordability Gap Third Way is a national think tank and advocacy organization that champions moderate policy and political ideas. Our work on the center left acts as a critical bulwark against political extremism.

Who fills the graduate affordability gap if federal borrowing tightens? State loan programs could be part of the answer. Read more:

Wine with Wonks is back on April 22 📣
Come connect with policy experts and dig into what’s next for graduate education.
RSVP: bit.ly/4vhQvz9

Choose a college that demonstrates clear value. 📈 See how quickly institutions pay off at higheredvaluemetrics.org

This week, ED is discussing proposed rules to overhaul the accreditation system—and expand the number of accreditors. But as Emily told @insidehighered.com, opening the door without clear guardrails puts students and taxpayers at risk.

🔗 buff.ly/1SsrJP4

Innovation shouldn’t mean less human interaction. As colleges explore new learning models, we need rules that protect students, not shortcuts that devalue their degrees. Read our full memo for what negotiators need to know. 🔗 buff.ly/1TsBLlI

Tomorrow’s your last chance to submit a Pell Grant testimonial. Don’t miss the opportunity to help show Congress what this program makes possible. ➡️ bit.ly/4bJZAZH

Join us on April 22 for Wine with Wonks: Graduate Education 🥂
Connect with policy experts and dive into the biggest conversations shaping graduate education today. RSVP: buff.ly/iFHGF8e

So, You Want to Be an Accreditor? Third Way is a national think tank and advocacy organization that champions moderate policy and political ideas. Our work on the center left acts as a critical bulwark against political extremism.

Next week's neg reg sessions are all about accreditation. As the Trump Admin seeks to expand the pool of accreditors, we’re keeping the spotlight on student outcomes and program quality. 🔍 buff.ly/KzF8w8u

Curious about the K-12 tax credit scholarship program? It’s not your typical “voucher.” If done right, this program can open doors to students who might not otherwise have access to these opportunities. We answer the key questions you need to know ⬇️ buff.ly/WBh0iQw

We’re still collecting Pell Grant stories—submit yours by this Friday! Share how it’s made a difference so we can show the real impact. ✨ bit.ly/4bJZAZH

EXTENDED DEADLINE: More students are counting on Pell than ever. Now it’s on Congress to fully fund it. Help us make the case by sharing your story. Submit your testimonial by April 10. bit.ly/4bJZAZH

The Trump Administration wants to expand the network of postsecondary accreditors. If that happens, the focus must stay on student outcomes. Our latest blog explores what aspiring accreditors should prioritize to earn recognition.
🔗 buff.ly/KzF8w8u

EXTENDED DEADLINE: More students are counting on Pell than ever. Now it’s on Congress to fully fund it. Help us make the case by sharing your story. Submit your testimonial by April 10. bit.ly/4bJZAZH

Graduate PLUS is gone—so what’s next?

State-based student loans could step in, offering competitive rates and new pathways to pay for grad school. As federal support shrinks, states have a chance to keep graduate education within reach. Read more in our latest memo: buff.ly/3b9S8eg

One more week to submit your Pell Grant testimonials! 🗣️

We’re calling on current and former recipients to help show Congress why sustained investment matters to keep college access within reach.

Submit here 🔗 bit.ly/4bJZAZH

Now More Than Ever, Democrats Support Higher Education Reform Third Way is a national think tank and advocacy organization that champions moderate policy and political ideas. Our work on the center left acts as a critical bulwark against political extremism.

Support for higher ed is strong. Patience isn’t.
Democratic voters want accountability, lower costs, and real ROI from college. Our latest poll reveals what voters are truly thinking 💡 www.thirdway.org/polling/now-...

For 50+ years, the Pell Grant has helped low- and middle-income students access college. But its value is shrinking, and without action from Congress, it will keep falling short.
Received Pell? Share your story to show why it matters. Submit by April 3 ➡️ bit.ly/4bJZAZH

FAFSA User Experience Enhancements Planned for This Summer The improvements will, among other things, make the federal aid process quicker for parents without Social Security Numbers and families who have filled out the FAFSA for previous children.

Filling out the FAFSA just got easier. Starting this summer, you’ll see your aid eligibility right away, spend less time on the form, and get a smoother experience overall. More students are already applying. What does this mean for you? More from @insidehighered.com buff.ly/Mloq99U

Did a Pell Grant help you along your higher ed journey, now or in the past? We're collecting video & written testimonials because we want to hear your story. Tell us how it made a difference. 🔗 bit.ly/4bJZAZH

65+ #HigherEd orgs came together to urge #Congress to act immediately to provide new funding that fully covers the current and projected #PellGrant shortfall. Read the full letter here: buff.ly/b9eV9D4

Higher Ed Policy Jobs Homepage Higher Ed Policy Jobs

On the hunt for the next career move? 🫣 Explore roles across the higher ed policy space at higheredpolicyjobs.org and find opportunities that make an impact. 💫

The future of the federal student loan program after OBBBA | Brookings On March 19, Brookings will host a discussion of how the changes to the Federal Student Loan Program under OBBBA will affect higher education.

Check out our Deputy Director of Higher Ed Policy, Ben Cecil, on a panel hosted by @brookings.edu discussing the future of federal student loans under the OBBBA changes. Register to watch the conversation taking place this Thursday:

What Voters Think About New Higher Education Reforms

Voters are weighing in on the higher ed changes under OBBBA and the results are worth a look. We broke down the data and what it means in our latest webinar. Watch the full replay here:

ICYMI: We sat down with Lodriguez Murray from @UNCF to discuss what students are facing right now, including the growing Pell Grant shortfall. If Pell is going to cover today’s cost of attendance, Congress must reinvest. Watch the full convo here: buff.ly/OHJS1Kd

For months, the debate over “graduate” vs “professional” degrees has dominated higher ed policy conversations. What was once a technical classification carries new weight after Congress eliminated Grad PLUS + set federal loan limits. Here’s what to know: buff.ly/jOHzl7j

Even under the shadow of OBBBA, a majority of voters support key higher ed reforms focused on cost and accountability. Our new memo breaks down the data and provides messaging guidance for lawmakers navigating this landscape. 💡 buff.ly/EkvPVFR

Welcome! You are invited to join a webinar: What Voters Think About New Higher Education Reforms . After registering, you will receive a confirmation email about joining the webinar. Recent higher education reforms that hold universities accountable for students’ earnings and cap federal loans for graduate school have been sparking debate. But these changes are broadly popular:…

The conversation around higher ed reform is shifting, and voters are paying attention.

Join us on March 9 as we unpack how the public is responding to OBBBA and what it means for the path forward.
Save your spot 👇 bit.ly/4kWXRDs

Is college worth it? In Illinois, the numbers say yes. 🌾

From strong earnings outcomes to meaningful access for Pell students, the University of Illinois System shows what it looks like when public universities deliver real economic mobility.

Check out our latest blog at buff.ly/Se4LQcD