This summer has seen the field of presidential candidates grow and the level of discourse begin to heat up as they start identifying key platform issues. The greatest impact on higher education at the federal level is financial: the ability of the federal government to make available — or restrict — financial aid to colleges and universities through Title IV. However, policy decisions — like the proposed America’s College Promise Act of 2015, or the enacted rules on gainful employment — can also drive change in higher education.
If you are beginning to wonder where the candidates stand on higher education issues, you will find many sources of information. One I would recommend is the National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators website. Because the constituent group of NASFAA is directly tied to federal policy on student aid, this organization typically has the most up to date and clear information about the candidates’ positions on substantive issues in higher education that will effect day-to-day operations. Their summaries are neutral with regard to party, but admittedly do have a vested interest in student access to higher education funding. This election, their site is also likely to be among the most well-informed because the key higher education issues the candidates are staking out almost exclusively involve financial matters: college affordability and student debt.
Regardless of where you find your information, I would encourage you to stay up-to-date throughout the year as the number of candidates first grows, then shrinks and their positions become more clearly defined before next summer’s conventions. Please share your preliminary thoughts on the candidates and their campaigns here on the blog.
Anne M. Kress
Office of the President
08/19/2015 |