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Technical Assistance Workshop |
Monday, June 27, 2005 |
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8.30 – 8.45 am |
WelcomeCheryl Blanco, Senior Program Director for Policy Analysis and Research, Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education |
8.45 – 9.00 am |
Project OverviewCheryl Blanco, Senior Program Director for Policy Analysis and Research, Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education |
9.00 – 10.30 am |
View from the States: State ReportsPolicymakers and stakeholders often learn the most about emerging issues,including what issues states are facing and strategies for tackling the inevitable challenges to problem resolution, through direct conversation with their colleagues from other states. This session will provide each state with the opportunity to share their experiences and perspectives on important issues related to the integration of higher education financial aid and financing policy. Moderator: Demarée Michelau, Project Coordinator for Policy Analysis and Research, Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education |
10.45 – 11.45 amEckl's Presentation
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The State Fiscal Environment and Its Effect on Higher EducationIn the 1990s, higher education experienced unprecedented increases in funding, but then the honeymoon ended and state revenues spiraled downward in the opening years of the new century. Now, as several indicators are pointing toward improved state economies, many people are wondering what this means for higher education. In this session, participants will examine the changes that have occurred in revenue sources, tuition, and financial aid in the recent past and will look at near-term indicators and examine the sentiment among policymakers as to how the current state fiscal environment might affect higher education. Moderator: Paul Lingenfelter, Executive Director, State Higher Education Executive Officers |
1.00 – 1.15 pmLonganecker's Presentation
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Integrating Higher Education Financial Aid and Financing PolicyAs state economies are beginning to recover from the last several years of constrained revenues, state policymakers and higher education leaders continue to grapple with how to increase access and success for all students through effective financing and financial aid strategies. Too often, appropriations, tuition, and financial aid decisions are dealt with as separate and discreet issues rather than reflecting their interrelated nature, but Changing Direction is working to change that. Taking into account that those making appropriations, tuition, and financial aid decisions all have their own perspectives and goals, the following three sessions are structured toward finding ways to reach the common goal of more integrated policy. Speaker: David Longanecker, Executive Director, Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education |
1.15 – 2.00 pmJones's Presentation
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Appropriations: The Role and PerspectiveModerator: Assemblywoman Carol Liu, Chair, California Assembly Higher Education Committee
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2.15 – 3.00 pmBaum's Presentation
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Tuition: The Role and PerspectiveModerator: Linda Johnsrud, Interim Vice President for Academic Planning and Policy, University of Hawaii System |
3.00 – 3.45 pmPaulson's Presentation
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Financial Aid: The Role and PerspectiveModerator: James Sulton, Executive Director, Washington Higher Education Coordinating Board |
3.45 – 4.15 pm |
Bringing It All Back TogetherAfter a productive and lively discussion of the principles that drive these policies, this session is an opportunity to bring it all back together. Moderator: David Longanecker, Executive Director, Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education |
Tuesday, June 28, 2005 |
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7.30 – 8.30 am |
Working Breakfast(Convene in State Teams to Discuss Potential Strategies) |
8.45 – 9.30 am |
Linking Tuition and Financial Aid Policy: Perspectives of Governors and State LegislatorsState legislators and governors are integral to the alignment of appropriations, financial aid, and tuition policy. Recognizing their importance and influence, Changing Direction, in partnership with the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL) and the National Governors Association (NGA), has published two reports, Linking Tuition and Financial Aid Policy: The State Legislative Perspective and Linking Tuition and Financial Aid Policy: The Gubernatorial Perspective, which are summaries of survey responses from state legislators and governors’ education policy advisors on the degree of alignment between tuition and financial aid policymaking, their role in the policymaking process, and their degree of satisfaction with the process. Hear first-hand about their findings. Moderator: Tom Layzell, President, Kentucky Council on Postsecondary Education |
10.00 – 11.00 amBlanco's Presentation
Mize's Presentation
Clarke's Presentation
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Early Commitment Financial Aid Programs: Are They a Viable Strategy for Access and Retention?Financial aid is a critical factor in broadening access and enhancing success for low-income students. This session will examine how a few states have turned to “early commitment” financial aid programs and their effectiveness as policy strategies in increasing access to postsecondary education for low-income students. These initiatives are designed to provide economically disadvantaged middle and early high school students with a guarantee of financial aid for postsecondary education if they meet certain academic and social requirements. Examples of such programs exist in the public and private sectors and include Indiana’s 21st Century Scholars Program, Eugene Lang’s I Have a Dream initiative, and the Oklahoma Higher Learning Access Program (OHLAP). Several states, like Louisiana with the TOPS program, are similar in that they encourage students to do well in school to qualify for the state scholarship program. Panelists will encourage discussion of what existing programs look like, where they are based, what their requirements and characteristics are, what we have learned from the programs, and what research suggests concerning their effectiveness in increasing access for low income students. Speakers: Cheryl Blanco, Senior Program Director for Policy Analysis and Research, Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education; Jimmy Clarke, Deputy Commissioner for Academic and Student Affairs, Louisiana Board of Regents; Dolores Mize, Associate Vice Chancellor & Special Assistant to the Chancellor, Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education |
11.00 – 11.45 am
Martinez's Presentation
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Using Financial Aid and Financing Policy to Enhance Retention in Higher EducationAddressing postsecondary access is strengthened when retention is part of the discussion. Research points to several factors that increase the likelihood of a student attending and succeeding in college, such as the level of parental education, rigor of the high school curriculum, and whether the student’s friends plan on attending college. Once the student has enrolled in college, other aspects often affect degree completion, including working full-time, beginning the postsecondary career at a community college, and parents not having attended college. In addition to the obstacles that all students may face, the price of college still prevents many low-income students from attending and persisting and affects where many middle-income students attend. Financial aid can relieve some of the financial pressures, but the rising cost of tuition at both the four- and two-year institutions – without corresponding increases in financial aid – is likely to affect enrollment and persistence at all levels of postsecondary education. This session will provide an opportunity for participants to learn about specific state strategies to enhance retention. Moderator: Dana Kelly, Manager, Student Affairs Program, Idaho State Board of Education |
11.45 am – 12.00 pm |
Closing CommentsDavid Longanecker, Executive Director, Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education
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