In July, Congress lifted the 26-year ban on Pell Grants for people in prison, causing excitement among incarcerated students. However, prison education experts say college in state and federal prisons is seeing slow growth, Inside Higher Ed reports. The process is time-consuming as state corrections and college officials work to get academic programs approved for the grants and confirm they meet quality standards established by the US Department of Education. Programs must be approved by state corrections agencies, the federal Bureau of Prisons, or a sheriff, an accreditor, and the Department of Education.
Lack of social capital and knowledge of the “hidden curricula” of higher education are common hindrances to first-generation students succeeding in postsecondary education. New research by Becca Spindel Bassett of the University of Arkansas suggests that faculty and staff can implement three strategies to assist first-generation and low-income students in accessing campus resources, Inside Higher Ed reports. These strategies include welcoming students, validating their requests for support and accommodations, and teaching the social and structural codes necessary to accessing resources.
American confidence in higher education has dropped from 57% to 36% over the past eight years, largely due to factors like high tuition prices, student loan debt, political divides, and doubts about career preparedness. In an op-ed for The Hechinger Report, journalist and AAC&U Board of Directors member Brandon Busteed condemns the disproportionate focus on elite universities, arguing that the practices of elite institutions undermine meritocracy and fail to enroll students from poor and middle-class families. To regain public trust, Busteed asserts, elite colleges should uphold meritocracy and provide equity for students from lower-income families.
Indiana University is prioritizing financial literacy education to help students pay for their postsecondary education and increase retention, Inside Higher Ed reports. Since many students have financial hardships while pursuing an education, financial wellbeing is a critical factor to take into account in institutional retention attempts. The university has hired student financial educators, created a cost calculator for prospective and current students, and is offering online financial literacy courses.
Since 2011, student borrowing has decreased by $126.4 million (23%) for all IU campuses.