The Institute for College Access & Success

The Institute for College Access & Success (TICAS or the Organization) is a trusted source of research, design, and advocacy for student-centered public policies that promote affordability, accountability, and equity in higher education. We conduct and disseminate important research to understand the current landscape of higher education, build diverse coalitions of allies around specific policy issue areas, develop policy solutions and advocate for their adoption at the federal level, as well as the state level in California and Michigan. Our programmatic work spans areas critical for college access, affordability, and success, particularly for students from historically marginalized communities. Our program work aims to strengthen student financial aid, increase federal support for public higher education, simplify the student loan repayment system, expand comprehensive college support strategies that improve student success, and improving access and completion of postsecondary credentials for students from minoritized and poverty impacted communities. We also seek to ensure colleges are held appropriately accountable for student outcomes, and that students have the information they need to make informed decisions about where to go to college and how to pay for it. Over the course of 2023, TICAS fought for stronger regulations to protect borrowers, students, and taxpayers from waste, fraud, and abuse; led efforts to advance federal regulations that would help more students cross the finish line and strengthen financial aid; and worked to advance policies that remove barriers to postsecondary education from public programs that provide basic needs supports. In 2023, TICAS supported a $500 increase in the maximum Pell Grant, worked to increase federal funds to support students to completion, promoted efforts to protect students from fraud and abuse in the higher education sector, and sought to reduce food insecurity for students. Our work in California and Michigan brought investments in state grant aid for the neediest students and supported FAFSA completion. TICAS coalition efforts help promote college affordability at the state and federal level across the country, and we continue to promote public policies that will ensure college remains in reach for the next generation of students without having to take on burdensome debt.