AEFP 44th Annual Conference Program
Chair:
, Texas A&M UniversityChair:
, University of North Carolina at Chapel HillChair:
, University of OregonChair:
, New York UniversityChair:
, Mathematica Policy ResearchChair:
, University of MemphisChair:
, Vanderbilt UniversityChair:
, University of NevadaChair:
, National Public RadioThe federal government currently provides nearly $140 billion in grants, loans, and work-study funds each year amid concerns about rising student loan debt and the overall value proposition of higher education. The Higher Education Act, the main piece of legislation governing the federal role in higher education, is years overdue for reauthorization. There is bipartisan interest in changing the federal financial aid system to better fit the needs of today’s students, simplify the number of grants, loans, and repayment options, and hold colleges more accountable for their outcomes. However, Democrats and Republicans have different visions on how to accomplish their shared goals, leading to the long delay in reauthorization.
In this panel, four experts in federal financial aid will discuss potential changes to the federal financial aid system as well as their promises and pitfalls. The participants are the following:
Doug Webber is an associate professor of economics at Temple University. He will discuss ‘risk sharing’ proposals on federal student loans that are designed to hold colleges accountable for a portion of loans that are not repaid as well as income-driven repayment systems.
Judith Scott-Clayton is an associate professor of economics and education at Teachers College, Columbia University. She will discuss student loan default rates and the relationship between student loan repayment plan designs and college access.
Julie Peller is the executive director of Higher Learning Advocates and previously served as senior policy advisor to the House Education and the Workforce Committee and director of federal policy at the Lumina Foundation. She will discuss potential changes to the federal work-study program.
Robert Kelchen is an assistant professor of higher education at Seton Hall University. He will discuss potential changes to federal grant aid programs.
Moderating this panel will be Cory Turner of National Public Radio.