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All of us over at @HigherLearnADV adv have been reflecting on the question, “what’s next?” We know #TodaysStudents need continued support & we can anticipate—as with our last economic downturn—a greater number of Americans will look to #highered to help them return to work. 1/9
From 08-10, undergrad enrollment spiked 14% & number of adults over 21 who sought #postsecondary credentials for the first time grew by 21%. The HEA already contains barriers for the 37% of #AdultStudents over 25 y/o currently enrolled & isn’t set up for an influx of adults. 2/9
Today we released an initial set of 5 policy reforms to be considered to support current and future students in response to the #COVID-19 pandemic: https://higherlearningadvocates.org/news/continued-policy-reforms-covid-19/ 3/9
#1: Expand the Child & Dependent Care Tax Credit. 6.6 mil employed Americans claim credit per year to assist w/ child care expenses. Approximately 10 mil Americans already facing unemployment - extend the credit to those enrolled in #highered to help w/ expenses. 4/9
#2: Remove Pell Lifetime Eligibility (LEU) barrier for low-income students re-entering #highered. 36 mil w/ some credit but no credential. We should reset Pell LEU limits & rules for students affected by #COVID-19 5/9
#3: Reset Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) for returning students. The CARES Act did this for students affected by #COVID-19! 
Let’s reset it for adults looking to re-enroll who may have failed SAP in the past & ensure ED communicates eligibility 6/9
Let’s reset it for adults looking to re-enroll who may have failed SAP in the past & ensure ED communicates eligibility 6/9
#4: “Prior-Prior Year” may no longer make sense for FAFSA filers whose financial situations have changed. @BillDeBaun recently cited a downturn in # of FAFSA filings. ED should issue guidance & let students know what steps to follow if their finances have changed. 7/9
#5: Provide flexibility thru professional judgement. In 09 ED issued guidance that allowed IHEs to use unemployment benefits as proof to use PJ & adjust students’ income. ED should issue similar guidance & allow IHEs to extend same guidelines to students impacted by #COVID-19 8/9
We’ve got a lot of other ideas — keep an eye out next week for a fresh set of ideas to support students today and in the future. 9/9
