Expand Financial and Emergency Aid

Federal Pell Grants, financial aid for learners with significant financial need, have been a powerful tool in expanding access to and accelerating the completion of postsecondary degrees. The recent expansion of the Pell Grant program to include short-term education and training programs aligned with high-skill, high-wage, or in-demand occupations will open more doors to opportunity for more people. However, this program faces a funding cliff as costs have risen. Without increased funding, the Pell Grant program will be unable to meet demand.1

Most states also provide financial aid to learners who demonstrate great need. “College promise” programs vary by state but usually cover all tuition costs for some learners to attend an institution of higher education.2 Streamlined eligibility requirements that align with other state-funded benefits and easily understood communications regarding these programs help to reduce barriers for the intended beneficiaries.

States also vary in the funding they provide for dual-enrollment programs, an important pathway to college exposure (see Recommendation six). Some states directly cover tuition for high school students taking college courses, while other models allow school districts to allocate per-pupil funding to these costs or encourage higher education institutions to subsidize tuition for learners.3 However, some states expect families to cover these tuition costs, which introduces a financial barrier to this path to opportunity.

A nationally recognized success, The City University of New York’s (CUNY) Accelerated Study in Associate Programs (ASAP) provides comprehensive support to learners pursuing associate degrees, including financial aid for tuition and fees, textbook stipends, and transit cards alongside personalized advising, tutoring, and career services.4 This model is now being replicated and adapted to other state contexts. One such effort called “Boost,” funded by Arnold Ventures, is being implemented across North Carolina community colleges. A key feature of the program is financial support to learners in the form of a monthly stipend, annual funds to pay for textbooks, and tuition and fees for summer courses.5

Individuals need to have their basic needs met to learn and succeed. A clear positive impact has been demonstrated from the distribution of small emergency financial grants to help learners cover car repairs, medical bills, and other unexpected expenses, especially among learners at minority-serving institutions.6 The provision of small grants that do not need to be repaid can help learners quickly recover from an unexpected expense, stay on track with class attendance, and focus on their studies.