Senate Education Committee Examines the State of Higher Education

The Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee recently held a hearing to examine the current state of higher education in America, particularly the impact of Parent Plus loans, Pell Grants, community colleges, and technical schools on student outcomes and innovation within STEM fields.  

Congress and the executive branch have begun discussions on limiting Parent Plus loans and reforming the Pell Grant program.  This may impact HBCUs and community colleges, which offer technical programs and serve as institutions that allow individuals in low-income and diverse communities to contribute to fields in STEM.  

To explore these concerns further, committee members raised questions about the rising cost of college, how the government can make higher education more affordable, and what steps higher education departments are taking to ensure that students receive a return on their investment.  

In response to these challenges, some universities are developing new initiatives. At Taylor University, for example, the school has implemented a pilot program focusing on employment. Known as the Good Work Initiative, Taylor President Michael Lindsay notes that the program will “transform on-campus employment opportunities into professional and vocational development catalysts for hundreds of students each year.”  

The discussion surrounding higher education policy highlights the urgent need to protect access to affordable education options, especially in fields critical to economic growth like STEM and healthcare. When discussing potential funding changes, Dr. Russell Lowery-Hart, Chancellor of Austin Community College, noted that “Changing Full-Time Pell from 12 to 15 hours could keep some students out of the in-demand workforce.”  He added that last year, “over 5,000 Pell-awarded ACC students were enrolled in 12–14 credits and would lose opportunities and support.” Lowery-Hart further noted that for some workforce programs in trades and healthcare, 15 hours a semester “may not even be possible.”  

 To watch the full hearing, visit: https://www.help.senate.gov/hearings/the-state-of-higher-education-2025