Higher Ed. Dive
March 25, 2021 Student Success, Value and Affordability
Higher education interest groups and institutional leaders have lobbied the federal government to increase the size of the Pell Grant for years, with renewed urgency due to the COVID-19 pandemic. President Biden said on the campaign trail that he wants to double the Pell Grant, and with the passage of the latest relief package, his administration can now focus on other matters.
Higher Ed. Dive
March 11, 2021 Enrollment Management Trends
Undergraduate enrollment at public four-year schools continues to fall compared to one year ago, according to preliminary data from the National Student Clearinghouse Research Center. Graduate enrollment has continued to grow from the fall.
The Chronicle of Higher Education
March 11, 2021 Enrollment Management Trends, Student Success, Value and Affordability
The article features a series of graphics that highlight the financial and socio-emotional costs the COVID-19 pandemic has imposed on the higher education industry.
The Chronicle of Higher Education
March 09, 2021 Admissions, Enrollment Management Trends, Student Success, Value and Affordability
This opinion article describes the unique issues enrollment management leaders are experiencing with regard to predicting enrollment and yield for fall 2021. (Subscription required)
Inside Higher Ed.
March 08, 2021 Admissions, Enrollment Management Trends
The National Association for College Admission Counseling has created a commission to rethink the college admissions process “through a racial equity lens.” NACAC has identified three priority areas for the commission to explore, including the college entrance experience, postsecondary financial aid requirements, and the role of racial equity in postsecondary enrollment.
Education Dive
March 02, 2021 Admissions, Enrollment Management Trends
Colleges using the Common App received nearly 6 million applications by February 15, driven by a variety of factors. Prospective students are applying to more institutions this year and interest in large, more-selective private schools rose, particularly from international and first-generation students, students from traditionally underrepresented racial minority groups, and those who receive fee waivers
Education Dive
February 26, 2021 Value and Affordability
With the COVID-19 pandemic continuing to impact the financial status of many, the U.S. Department of Education is allowing flexibility for higher education institutions to better understand students’ financial need. Instead of relying solely on dated tax forms that may not illustrate students’ current financial circumstances, institutions are encouraged to use professional judgment to assess student files.
Inside Higher Ed.
February 22, 2021 Admissions, Enrollment Management Trends
While the COVID-19 pandemic has prompted many higher education institutions to implement test-optional or test-blind options for domestic students, most are still requiring foreign students to take a test to demonstrate their English proficiency. An alternative, new version of the test, offered by Duolingo, has gained market share in the past year, prompting ETS to unveil a new version of the TOEFL, called TOEFL Essentials.
Higher Ed. Dive
February 19, 2021 Student Success, Value and Affordability
The government spending package passed at the end of 2020 included several provisions intended to extend federal financial support to more college students. Financial aid changes include simplifying the FAFSA, expanding eligibility for Pell grants, rebranding the EFC (expected family contribution), and bringing more predictability overall to financial aid awards.
Inside Higher Ed.
January 26, 2021 Enrollment Management Trends, Student Success, Value and Affordability
The Common Application is the most widely used college application, with more than 900 institutions participating. Newly released data shows that larger and more competitive colleges are receiving many applications, but smaller and less competitive colleges are not. Additionally, first-generation and fee waiver students are not applying at the same rates as they used to, with application numbers declining by three and two percentage points, respectively.