Updates
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Updates will appear here as the strategy progresses.
Leverage the Double Pell Alliance (over 1,200 organizations) to run a public campaign highlighting stories of students for whom a larger Pell would be life-changing.
Use the Double Pell Alliance to run a sustained public campaign that makes the affordability gap vivid and politically costly to ignore. Pair stories of students who struggle with tuition, food, and housing costs with clear explanations of what a Pell increase and indexing would change. This matters now because public support is broad, the coalition is already organized, and recent Pell changes show policy can move.
Why this works
Personal stories can sway key lawmakers and galvanize public pressure. The idea of doubling Pell polls extremely well across party lines, so a campaign can give political cover to legislators to support it.
The Institute for College Access & Success
Tax-deductibleImproving college affordability and outcomes for students
The Institute for College Access & Success (TICAS) is a nonpartisan research and advocacy organization established in 2005 to make higher education more available and affordable for students, especially those from low-income backgrounds. TICAS is known for its Project on Student Debt and leadership in winning policy changes like the creation of the federal Income-Based Repayment plan. It conducts analysis on financial aid and student loan trends and advocates for reforms such as larger Pell Grants and accountability for colleges’ outcomes:.
Mechanism
How The Institute for College Access & Success uses funding
- Coordinate with Double Pell Alliance organizations to align messaging and targets
- Build a story bank of students facing gaps and highlight how higher Pell supports basic costs
- Pair stories with simple explanations of indexing and part-time eligibility improvements
- Run earned media and rapid-response to counter misinformation about how aid affects tuition
- Mobilize supporters to contact lawmakers during key budget and legislative windows
- Track narrative and legislative signals and adjust the campaign focus as needed
Partner notes
Partner notes coming soon.