Skip Navigation
Schools Students Deserve Engaged Families and Communities
NEA Representative Assembly Professional Learning Share Your Story
Lobbying Resources Political Action Protect Public Schools Book Bans Community Ally Recertification Elections Contribute to ISEA PAC
Our Mission & Core Values Our Leaders Our Members Awards & Scholarships ISEA Store
For Members - Member Benefits For Members - Workplace Support For Members - Leadership For Members - Advocacy & Action For Members - ISEA Opportunities & Events
UniServ Directory Staff Directory
Press Releases
Careers
We use cookies to offer you a better browsing experience, provide ads, analyze site traffic, and personalize content. If you continue to use this site, you consent to our use of cookies.
NEA Issue Explainer

Higher Education

Going to college should not mean going into debt. Ensuring that higher education is accessible and affordable to all Americans is key to our nation’s prosperity—and to the well-being of students and families.
Higher Ed classroom
By: National Education Association
Published: December 2, 2021
This issue explainer originally appeared on NEA.org

More careers than ever require post-secondary education, yet higher education is increasingly out of reach. Students and families—not public dollars—now fund the bulk of higher education costs.

 

For years, NEA members advocated canceling college debt to help fix educator shortages. Now, because of the Biden administration’s life-changing actions, student loans taken out by 48 million borrowers are being substantially reduced, forgiven, or even canceled outright. 



 

Aruna Krishnamurthy
“When we approach this question of disinvestment in higher education, we do so from the perspective of social justice, from the perspective of equity, from the perspective of the quality of life for our students.”
Quote by: Aruna Krishnamurthy, English professor, Fitchburg State University

A History Advocating for Higher Education

1965

Higher Education Act Becomes Law

President Johnson signs the Higher Education Act (HEA) into law to “strengthen the educational resources of our colleges and universities and to provide financial assistance for students in postsecondary and higher education.”
1972

Pell Grants Begin

The Pell Grant program, the largest grant program that the U.S. Department of Education offers to undergraduate students, is created.
1992

Higher Education Act Reauthorization

Congress reauthorizes the Higher Education Act and Pres. George H.W. Bush signs it into law. The reauthorization significantly expands the student loan program.
1998

GEAR UP Begins

The Higher Education Act Amendments of 1998 authorize Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs (GEAR UP). GEAR UP provides six-year grants to help increase the college-going rate of low-income students.
2007

PSLF Program Created

The Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program (PSLF) is created under the College Cost Reduction and Access Act. PSLF is designed to encourage students to enter public service professions, such as education, through a promise to forgive student loans after 10 years’ worth of payments.
2008

Higher Education Opportunity Act Enacted

The Higher Education Opportunity Act is enacted, reauthorizing the amended version of the Higher Education Act of 1965.
2021
Cancel student debt sign outside U.S. White House

PSLF Program Overhauled to Meet Educators' Needs

The Biden-Harris administration on October 6 announces an overhaul of the PSLF program, including a broad expansion of the types of payments that count toward loan forgiveness. An estimated 550,000 public-service workers will see their progress toward PSLF grow because of the changes. The overhaul resulted after the administration received 168,000 emails from National Education Association members.

Ready to stand up for public schools?

We need to build our communities. We need to fully fund public schools. We need to hold our elected leaders accountable to the people. And we need your help to make it happen.
A white educator with long brown hair and black thick-rimmed glasses sits at her desk with a cup of colorful pencils in front her. She is smiling slightly and is looking up to her right like she has an idea.

Build your career and find opportunities to lead.

Whether you're focused on your classroom, community, or capitol, we have tools to help you transform teaching and learning.
Iowa State Education Association logo

Leading in our schools, communities, and state.

The Iowa State Education Association works to promote, advance, and protect public education, the education profession, and the rights and interests of our members. When you join the ISEA, you’re joining forces with the power and influence of 3.2 million members nationwide.
Join Today
Learn More

The Iowa State Education Association is a state affiliate of the National Education Association (NEA), the nation's largest professional employee organization. NEA has affiliate organizations in every state and in more than 14,000 communities across the United States.

Learn more at NEA.org

Signup

Indicates Required

Validate your ISEA membership to create an account and access members-only content.

Use the same first and last name as your ISEA membership.

Find your Member ID on the back of your copy of the NEA Today print magazine, on EdCommunities, or by emailing [email protected].
A valid email address. All emails from the system will be sent to this address. The email address is not made public and will only be used if you wish to receive a new password.

Login

Indicates Required

Log in to access content only available to ISEA members.