The Higher Education Act of 1965 (HEA) is a piece of legislation in the United States designed to provide financial assistance for students pursuing post-secondary education and to enhance the educational resources available within colleges and universities. The act increased federal funding to higher education institutions, established scholarship programs, and created low-interest loan opportunities for students, as well as establishing the National Teachers Corps.
Part of President Lyndon B. Johnson’s Great Society initiative, the HEA was signed into law on November 8, 1965. Although it has undergone several reauthorizations, it has not been formally reauthorized since its expiration in 2013, leading to ongoing challenges regarding reauthorization. Despite this lapse, programs under the HEA, such as Pell Grants, continue to function through temporary extensions.
Key Information
– The HEA has not been formally reauthorized since 2013, but its provisions remain active through temporary measures.
– The act includes financial aid options for students, such as grants and loans.
– Important programs established by the HEA include Pell Grants and Stafford loans.
How the Higher Education Act of 1965 Functions
The HEA, as championed by President Johnson, aims to expand educational access for low- and middle-income families, support financially struggling colleges, and enhance library services in educational institutions. In 2015, recognition from the National Education Association emphasized the act’s role in enabling millions of eligible students to pursue higher education through need-based grants, federal student loans, and work-study opportunities. Additionally, it facilitated the TRIO program, dedicated to assisting underserved students from middle school through graduate school.
Titles of the HEA
The HEA is divided into multiple titles, encompassing:
– Title I: Support for extension and continuing education programs.
– Title II: Grants aimed at recruiting and training teachers.
– Title III: Strengthening institutions that are underdeveloped.
– Title IV: Student assistance including scholarships, low-interest loans, and work-study programs.
– Title V: Initiatives to enhance teaching quality.
– Title VI: Improving undergraduate instruction.
– Title VII: Support for graduate education programs and innovations in post-secondary education.
– Title VIII: Various provisions relating to post-secondary and graduate-level education.
The act has been amended over the years to introduce various new initiatives.
Current Status of the HEA
While the HEA expired in 2013, its programs continue to operate as Congress considers potential revisions. Notably, discussions about reauthorization were delayed in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Proposed changes to the HEA may include streamlining the student aid application process and increasing maximum Pell Grant funding.
Contribution to Post-Secondary Education
The HEA is recognized as a fundamental element in advancing college affordability in the United States. Recent statistics indicate that around 32% of undergraduate students received Pell Grants during the 2021-22 academic year, and as of the third quarter of 2024, over 42 million Americans hold federal student loans.
Title IV of the HEA
Title IV is responsible for funding scholarships, low-interest loans, and work-study opportunities for eligible students at qualifying institutions. Its most recognized programs include Pell Grants and Stafford loans.
Conclusion
The objectives of the HEA remain significant today. Although many current students were born after the act’s inception, its core mission of improving access to higher education for individuals from low-income backgrounds continues to serve multiple generations of American students.
Source: Investopedia