Over the past six years, thanks to the hard work and determination of our country’s workers and businesses, our economy is recovering and continues to grow. The steps that President Obama has taken to promote middle-class economics are working—but there’s more progress to be made. In this year’s State of the Union address, the President made it clear that education—including a strong focus on improving postsecondary access, affordability, and student outcomes—remains central to his plan for strengthening and expanding the middle class and securing our country’s economic and civic prosperity for generations to come.
Today, more than ever, every American needs the knowledge and skills to meet the demands of a growing global economy. A postsecondary credential has become a prerequisite for success, and every American should be able to secure a quality education without taking on heavy student loan debt.
The total aid available to postsecondary students has grown dramatically during the Obama administration, helping to ensure that more students are graduating from college than ever before. However, fewer than one in 10 students from low-income families complete college. We need to close the opportunity gap so that all students—regardless of background or circumstance—can succeed in college, careers, and life.
The President’s fiscal year 2016 budget request for education will continue to strengthen the building blocks of success in higher education through initiatives and reforms that will increase aid to students and improve the effectiveness of programs.
For example, the Obama administration is continuing to focus on protecting the value of the Pell Grant; simplifying financial aid forms so more students can take advantage of aid; streamlining income-based repayment plans, and partnering with businesses to create more on-the-job training and apprenticeship opportunities.
The budget also includes an exciting new proposal, called America’s College Promise, to make two years of college free and universal, just as high school is today. Under this initiative, students would be able to secure an associate’s degree or certificate, earn the first half of a bachelor’s degree, and gain skills needed in the workforce at no cost.
This is a concept we’ve tried before in America, with great success. In the 20th century, the decision to make high school free and universal drove decades of economic growth and prosperity. It equipped us to lead on the world stage. But, as the President has said, other nations caught on, and they caught up. Now it’s time to make two, free years of college the norm.
The fiscal year 2016 budget is designed to take bold steps to make college affordable and to modernize and improve federal student aid. Learn more about how higher education fits in the budget below.
Key elements in the President’s budget request:
We’ve come a long way since the President took office—and 2014 was a breakthrough year. Still, there’s more we must do to ensure that all Americans share in the benefits of our recovery. The President’s fiscal year 2016 budget will speed our progress toward achieving the nation’s North Star goal: for America to again have the world’s best-educated, most competitive workforce.
Melissa Apostolides is a member of the Communications Development division in the Office of Communications and Outreach
