Katherine Knott

Although not likely to become law anytime soon, the package of bills shows that Senate Republicans are ready to step up to the plate on higher education policy.

As more families with fewer resources turn to Parent PLUS loans to afford higher education, policy makers need to seek broader reforms to improve college affordability, a new study says.

With student loan payments set to resume, a Consumer Financial Protection Bureau report shows more borrowers are struggling. “The situation is worse than we could have imagined,” one advocate said.

Lawmakers voted to not spend more money on domestic programs in order to avert default. That doesn’t leave much wiggle room for appropriators to increase the Pell Grant or give more money to Federal Student Aid.