UPCEA joined with other organizations to submit the following principles regarding the upcoming reauthorization of the Higher Education Act, in response to the Senate HELP Committee call for comments on February 13:

• Do no harm. Reauthorization of the Higher Education Act (HEA) should be used to clearly and unambiguously improve student aid for students.
• The Higher Education Act should continue to promote access to postsecondary education and encourage completion.
• Terms, conditions, and loan limits for federal student loans matter for undergraduate, graduate, and parent borrowers.
• Institutions should be responsible for defining their mission and the nature of their academic programs.
• The bill should make efforts to reduce fraud and abuse where it exists, and should not take steps that will increase the likelihood of fraud or abuse.
• The federal government should encourage experimentation and expansion of new learning opportunities to promote quality and efficiency.
• Streamline regulations and reduce regulatory burden in a manner that allows institutions to meet their obligations to students and taxpayers without imposing unnecessary cost or the diversion of resources.

To read the full letter and comments, click here.