Too often, the report says, limited funding is going to already wealthy families, and the method the state uses for awarding money lacks transparency and consistency.

Columbia will help lead self-directed education initiative.

While loan servicers are responsible for contacting graduates, the University of Northern Iowa has been working with current students and recent graduates to understand what the freeze's end means for them, said Director of Financial Aid Tim Bakula.

As colleges prepare for the fall, they must consider the requirements on vaccinations and masks as well as the tone they will set while restoring normalcy.