Driving HEA Modernization & Reauthorization

Business Roundtable members are calling on Congress to take the following actions as part of HEA reauthorization:

1. Expand eligibility for federal financial aid to students pursuing certificate and/or industry-recognized certification programs;
2. Allow students who take a minimum of 150 clock hours to qualify for federal Pell Grants; and
3. Change the federal work-study program to allow funds to be used for off-campus work experiences.

Federal Student Aid Delivering Weak Returns on Public Investment

For the over $130 billion spend on federal student aid, the results achieved based on this investment are lackluster and underscore the need for policy modernization. From debt accumulated by students to the fact that 46 million Americans 18 and over have some college, but have not earned degrees, there is room for improvement, and bipartisan reforms to HEA are the answer.

BRT Position: Expand eligibility for federal financial aid to students pursuing certificate and/or industry-recognized certification programs.

Read our principles to ensure HEA reauthorization helps students, employers and America.

In addition to HEA, Business Roundtable supports federal legislation—such as the Carl D. Perkins Act and Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act—to fund programs that create more postsecondary education opportunities and improve educational outcomes.