Free College
Higher education should be free.
Higher education is the foundation of a fair and just society, and a cornerstone of a dynamic economy. Yet for decades, policymakers have failed to deliver the promise of affordable public college. Thanks to stagnant public investment, a financial aid system that has not kept up, and an explosion of predatory fees and shady practices, tens of millions of families are priced out or struggle with debt that prior generations were never forced to endure. It’s time to deliver public, debt-free higher education and to hold accountable those who profit from the status quo, deny opportunity, and push borrowers further into debt.
What We’re Doing
Along with our partners, Protect Borrowers is on the front lines working to pass a national plan to guarantee that any student attending a public college has a debt-free pathway and sufficient financial support to meet their cost of attendance.
For years, we have exposed the crisis of “institutional debts” owed directly to colleges for hidden costs, fees, and fines, and leading statewide and federal efforts to end unjust practices like transcript withholding.
We’re empowering local leaders nationwide to provide training, technical assistance, analysis, and resources to help local leaders assist and advocate for struggling borrowers and build a more affordable higher education landscape.
We have helped shine a light on for-profit contractors that partner with colleges to deliver courses but steer students to finance their education through high-cost shadow student loans.
By The Numbers
NEARLY 2/3 OF VOTERS
Nearly two-thirds (62%) of voters, including over 60% of Republicans, noted that policies to make college tuition-free would increase the likelihood that they or their family would pursue more education and training.
32 STATES
32 states currently fund higher education at lower per-student levels than they did in 2001.
LESS THAN 1/3 THE COST COVERED
The Pell Grant, our nation’s bedrock financial aid program, now covers less than one-third of the cost of tuition, fees, housing, and food at a public four-year college.
6.6 MILLION STUDENTS
Nationwide, 6.6 million students collectively owe their schools as much as $15 billion in institutional debts.
1-IN-4 STUDENTS
More than 1-in-4 students across the country are now protected by state law from transcript withholding.
Featured Work
EXPLORE OUR OTHER WORK
INSTITUTIONAL DEBT
For years, we have exposed the crisis of “institutional debts” owed directly to colleges for hidden costs, fees, and fines, and are leading statewide and federal efforts to end unjust practices like transcript withholding.
CREDITOR COLLEGES
It’s time to deliver a truly public, debt-free system and accountability for those who profit off the status quo, deny opportunity, and push borrowers further into debt.
CITIES PARTNERSHIP
Cities serve on the front lines and see firsthand the devastating burden debt poses on our communities. Following years of chaos in the student loan system, and amidst an extremist political environment, it is imperative that local governments form a line of defense in the fight to protect borrowers. We’re working with cities and counties to address this crisis, empowering local leaders to stand up for borrowers.
RACIAL & ECONOMIC JUSTICE
We are dedicated to ensuring that marginalized communities are protected from mistreatment by the loan industry. We have investigated and reported on predatory actors who attempt to take advantage of underserved communities. Through innovative advocacy and the novel application of legal tools, Protect Borrowers is working to address discrimination in the market and demonstrate how protecting borrowers is critical to advancing racial equity and economic justice.