A recent Senate hearing focused on improving college financial transparency—from total costs and student aid packages, to acceptance and completion figures—to help students and families make more informed choices when selecting a college.
While the bulk of the conversation during the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee hearing centered on ways to improve the College Scorecard, standardize student aid terms and definitions, and improve early cost estimates, lawmakers from both sides of the aisle also discussed alternatives to four-year degrees, including community colleges, as a way for families to control costs.
Sen. Tim Kaine (D-Virginia) noted that half of the students at George Mason University started their higher education journey at community colleges, mainly at Northern Virginia Community College, which has developed strong transfer ties with the public four-year institution. That partnership has resulted in lower costs for students.
Read more at Community College Daily.
