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NEA Issue Explainer

Higher Education

Going to college should not mean going into debt. Ensuring that higher education is accessible and affordable to all Americans is key to our nation’s prosperity—and to the well-being of students and families.
Higher Ed classroom
By: National Education Association
Published: February 18, 2025
This issue explainer originally appeared on NEA.org

More careers than ever require post-secondary education, yet higher education is increasingly out of reach. Students and families—not public dollars—now fund the bulk of higher education costs.

For years, NEA members advocated canceling college debt to help fix educator shortages. In the last decade under NEA’s advocacy, student loans taken out by 48 million borrowers have been substantially reduced, forgiven, or even canceled outright. This includes more than 1 million public service workers who have received over $78 billion in student debt forgiveness thanks to Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF).

NEA also supports dedicated faculty, staff, and graduate workers of our nation’s colleges and universities who help students pursue their passions. We advocate for safe working conditions, fair pay and benefits, academic freedom, increases to tenure density, and so much more. 

Aruna Krishnamurthy
“When we approach this question of disinvestment in higher education, we do so from the perspective of social justice, from the perspective of equity, from the perspective of the quality of life for our students.”
Quote by: Aruna Krishnamurthy, English professor, Fitchburg State University
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A History Advocating for Higher Education

1965

Higher Education Act Becomes Law

President Johnson signs the Higher Education Act (HEA) into law to “strengthen the educational resources of our colleges and universities and to provide financial assistance for students in postsecondary and higher education.”
1972

Pell Grants Begin

The Pell Grant program, the largest grant program that the U.S. Department of Education offers to undergraduate students, is created.
1992

Higher Education Act Reauthorization

Congress reauthorizes the Higher Education Act and Pres. George H.W. Bush signs it into law. The reauthorization significantly expands the student loan program.
1998

GEAR UP Begins

The Higher Education Act Amendments of 1998 authorize Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs (GEAR UP). GEAR UP provides six-year grants to help increase the college-going rate of low-income students.
2007

PSLF Program Created

The Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program (PSLF) is created under the College Cost Reduction and Access Act. PSLF is designed to encourage students to enter public service professions, such as education, through a promise to forgive student loans after 10 years’ worth of payments.
2008

Higher Education Opportunity Act Enacted

The Higher Education Opportunity Act is enacted, reauthorizing the amended version of the Higher Education Act of 1965.
2021
Cancel student debt sign outside U.S. White House

PSLF Program Overhauled to Meet Educators' Needs

The Biden-Harris administration on October 6 announces an overhaul of the PSLF program, including a broad expansion of the types of payments that count toward loan forgiveness. An estimated 550,000 public-service workers will see their progress toward PSLF grow because of the changes. The overhaul resulted after the administration received 168,000 emails from National Education Association members.

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