Position on the Higher Education Act
Improve Access to Higher Education
Since its founding in 1881, the American Association of University Women (AAUW) has been committed to making the dream of higher education a reality for women. AAUW's 2011-2013 Public Policy Program affirms our commitment to "a strong system of public education that promotes gender fairness, equity, and diversity...and advocates increased support for, and access to, higher education for women and other disadvantaged populations."1 With changes in the workforce over the century, higher education is becoming less of a luxury and more of a necessity. At current rates, the U.S. will add over 16 million jobs by the year 2018 that require at least some postsecondary education.2 Moreover, the number of jobs requiring a graduate degree is estimated to grow by 2.5 million by that same year.3
The Higher Education Act is the cornerstone of the federal government's commitment to post-secondary education. HEA is the most significant federal law for American colleges and universities, governing the U.S. Department of Education's programs on accreditation, international and graduate education, teacher training and, most importantly, dozens of financial aid programs for students. AAUW believes increasing access to higher education for traditional and nontraditional students is imperative to helping women obtain financial security and economic independence.
For more information, call 202/785-7793 or e-mail VoterEd@aauw.org.
AAUW Public Policy and Government Relations
1 American Association of University Women. (June 2011). 2011-13 AAUW Public Policy Program. Retrieved August 11, 2011, from http://www.aauw.org/act/issue_advocacy/principles_priorities.cfm.
2 U.S. Department of Labor. Bureau of Labor Statistics. (December 11, 2009). Economic News Release. Employment and Total Job Openings by Postsecondary Education or Training Category, 2008-18. Retrieved February 22, 2011, from www.bls.gov/news.release/ecopro.t09.htm.