The higher education system in the US faces quite a few challenges that affect the livelihoods of both students and educators. Unequal access to opportunities, piling student debt, and questionable education quality overall have been raising discussions about reform. Obama’s administration has launched some promising initiatives, for example, nearly doubling the funding for Pell Grants has led to students being awarded up to 25% more. However, unfortunately, due to systemic inequality, limited accountability and incomplete reforms, many issues have persisted, with some, like student debt, only worsening.
Luckily, the current administration has also proposed some useful initiatives, which we will cover in today’s article. Expanding access to education for marginalized communities, raising the quality of instruction and facilitating cooperation between federal agencies and educational institutions are still the main goals for the higher education sector. So, let’s look at some of the current initiatives and see if they address the root of the problem.
Unequal Access to Higher Education
Many students have to give up their dreams and abandon the idea of going to college due to lack of resources, time, etc. Every student, no matter the background, skin color, or income, should be granted a fair chance to earn a degree. The Federal Pell Grant Program has been instrumental in providing access to higher ed to students from low-income families. For 2025-26, the maximum award sum has been increased to $7,395, helping reduce the financial gap for those most in need.
The Federal Work-Study Program is another incredible opportunity for students. Not only does it provide students with part-time job opportunities, but it also prepares them for the real world. The jobs vary depending on the businesses that choose to take part in the program, but at least 7% of them must contribute positively to the community. Each school may impose additional conditions, such as minimum GPA required to participate. To qualify, you need to fill in the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
TRIO programs are another notable resource for underprivileged students. There are currently six programs that fall under the TRIO umbrella, with each one helping a different demographic. The TRIO Upward Bound and Talent Search programs focus on high-schoolers and graduates, especially first-generation and low-income students. The program guides those students from high-school to college by providing tutoring, support, mentoring and financial guidance.
These programs are not enough to put every underprivileged student through college. However, by increasing the funding and raising awareness about these programs, policymakers are already improving accessibility of higher ed.
Growing Body of Student Debt
Student debt continues to be one of the most pressing issues in the US education system. To help manage this burden, the government has introduced several useful programs.
The SAVE Plan provided a mechanism for an indebted college student to cap their payments at 5% of their discretionary income. For some students, that meant 0% interest altogether. Over 8 million people made use of the program, since the cap on interest meant finally being able to reduce the total amount owed. Unfortunately, though, after over a year in forbearance due to a lawsuit, the program has been shut down.
The Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program offers a way to forgive college debt altogether. Individuals working public service jobs full-time become eligible for forgiveness after 120 qualifying payments. To apply, use the PSLF Help Tool to check your eligibility, prepare and submit the forms.
Diminishing Quality of Education
Experienced, well-informed and motivated teachers can make all the difference in a student’s educational journey. At the same time, an educator who is underpaid and overworked is more likely to bring their personal issues to work and make mistakes. Additionally, staff shortages and insufficient funding force many schools to rely on substitute teachers and rotating personnel.
To ensure uninterrupted teaching, the US government has implemented grants and programs that target both K-12 teachers and college professors. The Teacher Quality Partnership (TQP) program is aimed at boosting the quality of education and teachers’ preparedness, especially in high-need schools. By awarding grants to eligible high schools and higher-education institutions, this program improves classroom instruction quality, and supports early-career teachers, among others.
Fund for the Improvement of Postsecondary Education (FIPSE), a unit within the US Department of Education, has been instrumental in helping higher ed institutions innovate. Since the 70s, the fund has been investing in projects that make learning accessible and improve instructional quality in postsecondary institutions. Approximately 70% of projects continue after the funding runs out, which is a striking number since other federal grant programs show 5-15%.
Programs like FIPSE show great promise in terms of outcomes. However, it is not enough to fix the education system. Let’s look at more strategies that can be used to mitigate the current problems.
Collaboration Between Governmental and Educational institutions
Government institutions working together with colleges and universities is key for ensuring that reforms are implemented in classrooms rather than remaining on paper. With governmental funding, schools gain access to data, as well as policy guidance that are essential for developing, testing and implementing innovative teaching methods. A strong partnership between federal and educational institutions will ensure that all the resources are accounted for, while innovation is made practical and scalable.
The Education Innovation and Research (EIR) program is a notable example. This program mostly funds entrepreneurial efforts. It supports evidence-based projects that develop, scale or replicate innovative methods for improving student success. It aims to solve long-standing challenges in the education sector by helping launch, scale and sustain initiatives at any stage.
Fulbright-Hays has two incredible programs that focus on professors. Fulbright-Hays professors can take part in the Faculty Research Abroad (FRA) program. It facilitates multinational collaboration by connecting educators, scholars and experts from different countries. This helps faculty members conduct extensive research, while gaining new perspectives and exchanging ideas as well as teaching methods with the local school staff.
Ensuring Clarity and Trust
Fostering transparency and accountability in the higher ed sector is paramount for building trust between the students and faculty. The US government has implemented reporting mechanisms for tracking the outcomes of reforms, grants and subsidiaries. For example, College Scorecard is a tool developed by the U.S. Department of Education. This platform provides information on different US colleges and universities, aiming to help college applicants and their parents to make informed decisions. You can view and compare parameters such as average costs, types of degrees offered, acceptance rates, and even religious affiliation.
Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) is another valuable resource for college applicants, as well as policymakers. This immense database is managed by the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) and it collects data from the majority of US tertiary education institutions. You can find information on graduation and retention rates, enrollment statistics, as well as financial data.
These tools provide a way for aspiring college students to make decisions based on facts instead of ads. It helps families navigate the complex application process while also holding institutions accountable by sharing real statistics.
Wrapping up
The higher education system in the US is flawed and faces many challenges. Unequal access to opportunity, massive student debt, and inconsistent teaching quality are some of the most pressing issues policymakers aim to solve. While these problems are complex and deeply rooted, policymakers are coming up with innovative reforms and solutions.
Programs like Pell Grants, Federal Work-Study, TRIO, and FIPSE have shown tangible results in improving access to higher ed for underprivileged students. By encouraging innovation, these programs are able to bridge the gap between students from different backgrounds and provide equal opportunities.
These programs are not a magic wand and cannot solve all problems immediately. However, they demonstrate that with accountability, transparency and collaboration, we can increase student success, satisfaction, and in turn, graduation rates.
Samuel Gorbold, a seasoned professor with over 30 years of experience, guides students across disciplines such as English, psychology, political science, and many more. Together with EssayHub, he is dedicated to enhancing student understanding and success through comprehensive academic support.
