In honor of our 20th anniversary, we asked TICAS staff to share their thoughts on #HigherEd. Here’s what Katie Dorpinghaus had to say. More on our 20th here: buff.ly/Q8sCBXj

There's a lot of talk about college affordability. But what does that actually feel like when you’re inside the system? buff.ly/yZ5iqF8

Trump officials reportedly consider selling student loan debt to private investors Experts say the move could eliminate the federal government’s power to cancel educational loans

"I don’t think this is driven by an interest in helping borrowers... [or] an interest in improving the program. And I also don’t think it’s driven by an actual interest in saving taxpayers money." -- TICAS' Michele Zampini on the admin looking to sell federal student loans:

Federal Shifts, State Impact: What the Reconciliation Bill Means for Higher Ed & How States Can Respond

Calling state policymakers and advocates! Join TICAS & experts from @edtrust.bsky.social and The Century Foundation 10/29 as we review #HigherEd provisions in the #OneBigBeautifulBill, insights from @usedgov.bsky.social #NegReg to implement those changes, and how states can respond. buff.ly/8AhMgYj

TICAS turns 20! Our staff shared what #HigherEd means to them. Here are Valerie Crespín-Trujillo's reflections. Learn more about our anniversary here: buff.ly/Q8sCBXj

As TICAS celebrates 20 years, we asked staff to reflect on #HigherEd. Here’s what it means to Deborah Martin and how it shapes her work. Read more about our 20th here: buff.ly/Q8sCBXj

To mark 20 years of TICAS, we asked our staff what #HigherEd means to them. Jocelyn Salguero shared her insights. Learn more about our 20th here: buff.ly/Q8sCBXj

Trump considers sale of some federal student debt to private buyers Borrowers could be thrown into ‘even more chaos’ under this plan, a student loan policy expert warns

TICAS AVP Michele Zampini spoke to @the-independent.com about the consequences for borrowers if the president starts selling federal student loan debt: "They're already in a state of chaos…this would throw the entire system into even further chaos."
Read more:

Blue graphic with a picture of the Department of Education building reading "Ed Department Considers New Rules to Overhaul the Federal Student Loan System." Subtitle: Recap and Analysis, October 2025. The TICAS logo is in white in the bottom right hand corner.

Last week we tuned in as the Department of Education began the rulemaking process, or #NegReg, to implement federal student loan borrowing and repayment provisions passed by Congress. Learn more about ED's work on the "Big Beautiful Bill" and what it means for your student loans: buff.ly/rRP9vJf

For our 20th anniversary, TICAS staff shared what #HigherEd means in their lives and work. Here's what Kirsten Keefe had to say. Read more about our 20th anniversary: buff.ly/Q8sCBXj

TICAS Applauds Michigan Governor and Legislature on 2025-26 Final State Budget That Prioritizes Students - The Institute for College Access & Success LANSING, M.I. – On October 3, 2025, policymakers finalized the final Michigan budget for Fiscal Year 2025-26. The $81 billion budget largely sustains recent investments in postsecondary access,…

In response, TICAS Sr VP Jessica Thompson emphasized the importance of sustaining these investments to create clearer education-to-workforce pathways and support all Michiganders.

Our full statement: buff.ly/3RKhAmd
Our budget fact sheet: buff.ly/ytcnXoo

Michigan final state budget takes a Bold Step Toward Student Success: TICAS applauds Governor Whitmer and the Michigan legislature on finalizing a bipartisan budget that provides a strong foundation for Michigan students, simplifying state financial aid programs, and maintaining the capacity of the Department of Lifelong Education, Advancement, and Potential (MiLEAP). Given the challenges posed by recent changes in federal funding that reduce revenue for the state, meeting these goals through compromise is both more difficult and more important than ever for students.

We applaud Governor Whitmer and the MI legislature’s final budget investments that advance priorities for student access, affordability, and success.

Your experience with higher ed can help shape a better system.

Share your story here: buff.ly/yZ5iqF8

Student loan borrowers can't access repayment plans under Trump. What to know Student loan borrowers who are trying to get into a new repayment plan face delays amid a Trump-era backlog of applications and the shutdown of the government.

TICAS' Michele Zampini spoke w/ @cnbc.com about the impact of the fed gov't shutdown for student loan borrowers. "Before the shutdown, borrowers were at a breaking point. With application processing reportedly at a standstill, borrowers will continue to face unaffordable payments.” buff.ly/hqE3Pr6

Our latest fact sheets reveal how student debt trends differ for undergrads & grads both nationally & in CA. With recent policy, the borrowing landscape may undergo a permanent shift. We look at the impacts on students & provide key recommendations. buff.ly/gb0VlCE

Celebrating 20 years! We asked TICAS staff what #HigherEd means to them. Here’s what Mia Elliott reflected on. More about our anniversary: buff.ly/Q8sCBXj

Policy shapes how people access college and what it takes to stay there. We want to hear from students and borrowers navigating that firsthand. buff.ly/yZ5iqF8

As part of our 20th anniversary, we asked TICAS staff what #HigherEd means to them. Here’s what Manny Rodriguez had to say. Learn more about our 20th anniversary: buff.ly/Q8sCBXj

Join TICAS for a webinar breaking down recent federal policy changes shaping college affordability, student support, & accountability. Covering the Reconciliation budget bill, insights from the Negotiated Rulemaking process, & how states can respond with legislation & other actions. buff.ly/oqXZn9A

We’re hiring! Join TICAS to lead our federal policy and coalition-building work. Remote role, DC-area preferred. Learn more here: buff.ly/NzLqOhp

Student loan update: Trump admin accused of "improperly" seizing refunds While the federal government can collect student loan borrowers’ tax refunds, these garnishments were paused until April 21.

2/2 "Borrowers need clear, updated, and actionable information about how to protect themselves from garnishments, and it’s the Department’s responsibility—and, ultimately, in the Department’s own interest—to provide these to them.” Read more here: buff.ly/DCpabyq

1/2 TICAS' Michele Zampini spoke with @newsweek.com as the Trump administration is being accused of improperly seizing tax refunds from student loan borrowers.

NEW | Our Michigan Student Advocacy Fellows surveyed students to uncover barriers to state and institutional aid. Their report highlights findings, promising policies from other states, and recommendations for Michigan.

Read the report here: buff.ly/CzjDGXc

We’re hiring! TICAS is seeking a leader to advance our federal policy agenda and build a broad coalition of support. This is a remote position, with a preference for candidates in the DC area: buff.ly/NzLqOhp

Wondering how all those summer headlines about reconciliation, repayment changes, PSLF, & loan caps will actually happen? You’re not alone. Let us introduce #NegotiatedRulemaking. TICAS’ Lydia Franz is here to give you the 411.

Follow us for updates as we keep you posted throughout the process!

We’re hiring! TICAS is looking for someone to lead our federal efforts and build a broad coalition of support for our policy agenda. This is a remote role, with a preference for candidates in the DC area: buff.ly/NzLqOhp

The student loan system is stuck. So are the people in it. If that’s you, we want to hear your story. buff.ly/eR03CVL

Student Loan Borrowers Will See Payments Surge Under Majo... The student loan debt in America totals around $1.77 trillion, impacting millions of borrowers.

TICAS' Michele Zampini spoke to @newsweek.com about the payment surge borrowers will see as a result of the Reconciliation Law. "As living costs continue to rise & families struggle to keep up, making payments less affordable undermines the primary goal of income-based plans." buff.ly/sRfEbYx

TICAS Joins 250+ Orgs Urging Dept. of Ed to Comply with PSLF Statute - The Institute for College Access & Success TICAS joined 253 other organizations writing in opposition to the Department of Education’s Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) published to the Federal Register on Monday, August 18th that would…

2/2 Public servants who pursued careers with student loan forgiveness promised by Congress deserve better than this attempt to cheat them. Read our full letter here:https://buff.ly/yfnq0mL

1/2 We joined 250+ signers urging the Department of Education to withdraw its proposed rule making unlawful changes to #PSLF. The rule claims the Secretary of Education should have the authority to pick and choose which employers qualify for PSLF.