Invest in public higher education to lower graduate costs and reduce borrowing reliance¶

Strategy · All strategies
Evidence · no claims cited

Description¶

The brief's closing recommendation is that policymakers address graduate affordability by lowering costs rather than restricting borrowing. It states that "To reduce reliance on borrowing and make graduate education more accessible, federal and state governments should invest more in public higher education to lower costs." This pairs with its finding that OBBBA includes no provisions lowering program costs or adding aid.

Design Implications¶

Context¶

Requirements¶

• Federal or state investment in public higher education sufficient to reduce graduate program costs

Constraints¶

• The brief argues loan limits alone do not lower costs, since OBBBA does not require universities to lower graduate education costs or provide additional aid

Target Learners¶

• graduate and professional degree students, especially low- and middle-income students and students of color

Target Learning Goals¶

• maintaining access to advanced degrees and professional education leading to essential professions

Related Strategies¶

• Federal policy package to end the student debt crisis for Black women: cancel debt, improve IDR, and double the Pell Grant
• Policy package to ease Parent PLUS burdens: targeted cancellation, full IDR/PSLF access, lower rates, and affordable alternatives

Examples¶

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Key Sources¶

• Victoria Jackson. (2026). New Loan Limits Threaten Graduate Education Access and Affordability. EdTrust. https://eric.ed.gov/?id=ED682424