What’s next for the graduate vs. professional loan fight? The coming months could determine how new loan limits are interpreted and applied. Our latest blog breaks down the legal battles, implementation challenges, and potential role for Congress. 🔎

What’s Next for the Graduate vs. Professional Loan Fight

Third Way is a national think tank and advocacy organization that champions moderate policy and political ideas. Our work on the center left acts as a critical bulwark against political extremism.

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📱RPU students get their news through social media, like most young adults. But the stories they see online don’t always reflect their reality. Our latest student poll explores what media gets right about college life and where it misses ➡️ buff.ly/KAYekxp

Becoming a licensed professional shouldn’t start with a financial hurdle. Our latest memo explores graduate-level apprenticeships that shift training costs from students alone to a shared investment among employers, institutions, and communities. ⬇️ buff.ly/KCa9ncg

ICYMI 👀: Our latest conversation explored what our new poll reveals about the experiences of students at regional public universities and why these institutions deserve more attention. Catch the replay: buff.ly/kf6QHAz

Check out the latest jobs on higheredpolicyjobs.org 💼 👉 Senior Editor, CCRC 👉 Associate II, Development, EdTrust 👉 Senior Research Associate (Higher Education & Workforce), Urban Institute Find your next opportunity or post one today!

TOMORROW: Don’t miss the conversation on what our latest student poll reveals about life at regional public universities. Hear directly from experts on the data about what students value, the challenges they face, and what comes next. Register here: bit.ly/RPUWebinar

More than a dozen states already offer graduate loan programs, and some are now looking to expand them in response to new federal loan caps, Emily Rounds told @nytimes.com. Read more about how states are stepping up to support graduate students⬇️ www.nytimes.com/2026/07/17/y...

States Rush to Fill Graduate Loan Gap Opened by G.O.P. Budget Bill

Minnesota and Connecticut are two of the states expanding their loan options. “We see it as a substitute program,” one official said.

nytimes.com

Less bureaucracy? More like more confusion. The House GOP's education package would transfer multiple ED programs to different federal agencies, creating a more confusing system for students, families, and schools. Read our full statement: www.thirdway.org/press/third-...

Third Way Statement on House Republicans’ Plan to Reorganize the Department of Education

Third Way is a national think tank and advocacy organization that champions moderate policy and political ideas. Our work on the center left acts as a critical bulwark against political extremism.

thirdway.org

From affordability to belonging, RPU students are sharing what shapes their college experience. 💻 Join us next Tuesday for a panel discussion on what our latest student poll reveals about the role RPUs play in expanding opportunity. Register here: bit.ly/RPUWebinar

Our latest poll goes beyond the numbers. Hear directly from regional public university students about affordability, belonging, and the experiences shaping their path to a degree. Discover what students shared! 🗣️ buff.ly/8UlSPEa

The way students pay for graduate school has changed. As Grad PLUS comes to an end, our latest series examines innovative policy ideas to expand financing options, protect access, and build a more sustainable system for graduate education. Learn more: buff.ly/Kudpqec

What does the typical college experience really look like? Look to regional public universities, which educate nearly 70% of college students nationwide. Our latest poll reveals the experiences and challenges of the students behind the numbers. 🔗 buff.ly/8UlSPEa

Both sides of the aisle could agree that Grad PLUS wasn't "working in the most effective way possible to fund graduate education," says Ben Cecil. New grad loan caps could push institutions to rethink costs and improve affordability. More @chronicle.com ⬇️

Colleges Fear Federal Grad-Loan Caps Will Hurt Enrollment. These State Groups Are Trying to Help.

With the elimination of new Grad PLUS loans as of July 1, these lenders hope to offer students affordable options in the private market.

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Join us July 21 for a webinar diving into the results of our poll on RPU students. Moderated by Washington Monthly's Anne Kim, our panel will discuss what students told us and the role RPUs play in expanding access and opportunity. 👉 Register: bit.ly/RPUWebinar

It's been more than four years since cohort default rate (CDR) data was last collected, but new data is expected later this year. Our latest primer breaks down what CDR is, why it matters, and why it's an important measure of institutional accountability. Read more: buff.ly/8Hx65RT

A court intervened in ED’s new grad loan cap rules—but for now the rule still takes effect tomorrow. The legal status allows for programs to challenge, so we’ll see how they respond as implementation moves forward. More from @usatoday.com ➡️

Court halts loan caps on some grad degrees. What does it mean for you?

A judge blocked the Education Department's new 'professional' degree definition, but big changes to student loans are still coming July 1.

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Regional public universities educate most college students, yet rarely get the spotlight. Our latest poll shows RPUs deliver on affordability, flexibility, and belonging for millions of students across the country. 💡 🔗: buff.ly/6rRNG8g

An exclusive w/ @glastris.bsky.social ( @washingtonmonthly.bsky.social ) reveals what’s happening at RPUs, where access & opportunity meet for most students. RPUs deliver affordability, flexibility, & belonging, but students are still facing real challenges. ⬇️ washingtonmonthly.com/2026/06/26/r...

What Life on Most College Campuses is Really Like

A new survey of students at regional public universities by the think tank Third Way offers some surprising insights.

washingtonmonthly.com

Advanced degrees should open doors—not be high-stakes gambles. Our new series explores policy solutions that can help preserve access to graduate education while improving accountability and outcomes. Check them out! ⬇️ buff.ly/EWkCNWy

We're proud to endorse the Pell Grant Preservation and Expansion Act of 2026. Pell is the foundation of our financial aid system, but its purchasing power has not kept pace with rising college costs. Students need a Pell Grant that grows with the reality they face.

Committee on Education & Workforce Democrats@democrats-edworkforce.house.gov · last mo.

Today, @bobbyscott.house.gov joined Congressional Democrats to introduce the Pell Grant Preservation and Expansion Act of 2026 and fight back against Republicans' attacks on the most important tool we have to help students afford college.

Happy 54th birthday to the Pell Grant 🎉 For decades, Pell has helped millions of students access higher ed. But its purchasing power has fallen behind. Hear from recipients about why investing in Pell remains critical for future generations. More at protectpell.com.

As Congress phases out Grad PLUS and imposes new borrowing limits, the conversation is just beginning. Our new series explores how graduate education can be financed in ways that protect students while preserving pathways to career advancement and mobility. 🔍 buff.ly/EWkCNWy

Federal scholarship tax credits differ from traditional private school vouchers: public school students can also receive scholarships. With thoughtful state design, they can bring new resources to students and support public education systems. Learn more: Learn more in our latest: buff.ly/HlbUqdS

A degree remains one of the clearest paths to economic mobility, but too many students never cross the finish line. The Postsecondary Student Success Act helps colleges scale proven student success strategies, and we're proud to endorse it. Read our statement: www.thirdway.org/press/statem...

Statement on the Reintroduction of the Postsecondary Student Success Act

Third Way is a national think tank and advocacy organization that champions moderate policy and political ideas. Our work on the center left acts as a critical bulwark against political extremism.

thirdway.org

🗣️The Pell Grant has a real impact on real students. Hear directly from recipients about how it helped them afford college, stay enrolled, and open doors they once thought were out of reach. Learn more at protectpell.com.

We are proud to endorse the Beginning Educator Mentorship and Retention Act and support investments that help the next generation of teachers and school leaders thrive.

Senator Tim Kaine@kaine.senate.gov · 2mo ago

The success of future generations and our economy depend on America’s teachers. That’s why I’ve introduced a bill alongside @repjahanahayes.bsky.social to provide funding for school districts to enhance or establish mentoring and induction programs for new educators. Let's break it down:

We've added some fresh opportunities to our higher ed job board! Check out these few and explore more at higheredpolicyjobs.org. 💼 ➡️ Assoc. Director of Research, Institute for Higher Education Policy ➡️ State Policy Manager, @ncanetwork.bsky.social ➡️ VP of Development, Jobs for the Future

Higher Ed Policy Jobs Homepage

Higher Ed Policy Jobs

higheredpolicyjobs.org

When institutions invest in students, results matter 📈. A new analysis, in partnership with Excelencia in Education, finds that Hispanic-Serving Institutions lead in economic mobility outcomes for low-income students. Read more: buff.ly/VGeFIm4

The Pell Grant is the foundation of our nation’s financial aid system, but today, it is being asked to do more with less. Congress must act to close the gap and protect the grant from continued funding shortfalls. Learn more at protectpell.com 💡

When graduates consistently leave programs and go on to earn low wages, something needs to change. An earnings test for institutions adds accountability by helping ensure students and taxpayers are better off. More in @washingtonpost.com : buff.ly/n3uvEIV