Topic: College Affordability & Student Debt

FAFSA Opens Doors — but Students Need Support to Complete It

article-cropped October 12, 2026 by Kimberly Clarida

When students complete the FAFSA form, it can unlock the financial support that makes postsecondary education possible. Read more about how Michigan can increase FAFSA completion for students

EdTrust’s 5 Principles for Higher Education Accountability to Meet the Moment

files October 08, 2026 by Roxanne Garza, Robbie Ha

As the public asks tougher questions about the value of higher education, policymakers and education leaders are under growing pressure to hold colleges more accountable. But current efforts still don’t go far enough

How Texas Is Trying to Make College Costs More Transparent

article-cropped September 22, 2026 by Sabreyna Reese

By law, colleges must publish a full cost of attendance, covering tuition, fees, housing, food, books, transportation, and personal expenses. But there’s no uniform method for how they calculate. Texas is setting state standards

Fewer Credits, Same Value? The Rise of Reduced-Credit Bachelor’s Degrees

article-cropped September 21, 2026 by Tionna Ellis

Since many students are reconsidering the traditional four-year degree, some colleges and universities are proposing shortened bachelor’s degree programs. Is this a good thing?

Work-Study Didn’t Just Pay My Tuition. It Helped Rewrite My Future

article-cropped August 24, 2026 by Jovanda Irving

Federal Work-Study is more than financial aid. It’s an investment in college students’ futures by giving them real work experience

Getting To & Through College: How Emergency Aid Helped a College Student in Baltimore

article-cropped August 19, 2026 by Gabriela Montell

A student shares how emergency aid helped him stay in college after unexpected medical bills strained his budget

How the Repayment Assistance Plan (RAP) Works

article-cropped August 12, 2026 by Robyn Jennings

RAP is a simplified but less affordable repayment option that eliminates a path to student loan forgiveness for more than 43 million student loan borrowers in the U.S.

What Happens When Grad PLUS Loans Disappear?

file-text July 23, 2026 by Noppakan Sirikul, Tionna Ellis, Tihirah Ruffin, Brianna Huynh

State fact sheets show how ending Grad PLUS loans will widen funding gaps, increase private borrowing, and strain graduate education and workforce pipelines

Education in the Crosshairs, Part III: What Dismantling the Department of Education Means for Students 

July 22, 2026 by EdTrust

Oral testimony by EdTrust senior vice president, Wil Del Pilar