REC 1 needs a name
Institutions of higher education can develop and improve their
practices related to affordability with actions such as
Switch university need-based aid from a last-dollar to a
first-dollar funding method to provide more funding to low-income
students so that they have enough to cover costs like school
materials, high-speed internet, transportation, housing and
childcare at contemporaneous prices.
Provide more university need-based aid and scholarships to low-
and middle-income students. Strive to meet two-thirds of the cost
of attendance for as many students as possible, starting with
those facing the largest funding gap.
Expand the use of open educational resources to bring down costs
of books. Require OER for general education courses. Provide more
reserve copies of high-dollar texts in the college library. n
Provide equipment, broadband or aid to students so they can
access online courses and open educational resources. n Rethink
fee structures and reduce additional fees. n Begin or improve
programs that provide emergency funding to students. n
Collaborate with federal, state and local government agencies,
nonprofits and businesses to help low-income students with living
costs. Partnerships might include food pantries, free campus
meals, free bus or ride-share passes, free furniture rentals,
free room and board for students experiencing homelessness, case
managers to help guide students to apply for government
assistance, free medical and mental health care or free hotspots.
n Develop and require a financial literacy course or program for
students and expand advising on finances, loans, and financial
aid access and availability. n Provide more on-campus jobs and
work-study programs so more students can work while enrolled
full-time. Recommendation 2 Be transparent with students and
families about the true out-of-pocket cost of college and the
value of obtaining a college degree that aligns with their skills
and interests. n Collect, analyze and disaggregate the true
out-of-pocket cost of degrees for different student populations
with varying resources and needs (such as low-income,
traditional, adult learner, student-parent, part-time). n Analyze
and publish the value of different degrees, especially for
high-demand professions, and push for increased wages for key
professions (such as teaching and health care) so that more
students find those degrees and professions valuable. I
REC 2 needs a name
Faculty and staff take the lead on
student success coaching, career-related education and services,
and assistance with financial aid.
