Increasing Access to Higher Education
Since its founding in 1881, AAUW has been committed to making the dream of a higher education a reality for women. AAUW's 2009-11 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 last 125 years, higher education is becoming less of a luxury and more of a necessity. By the year 2014, it is estimated that there will be 4 million new jobs where postsecondary education will most likely be necessary.2 As the skill requirements of jobs continue to increase, so too should access to postsecondary education for all students.
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, governing Education Department programs on accreditation, international and graduate education, teacher training and, most importantly, dozens of financial aid programs for students.
For more information, call 202/785-7793 or e-mail VoterEd@aauw.org.
AAUW Public Policy and Government Relations
1 2009 - 11 AAUW Public Policy Program (approved June 2009).
2 Bureau of Labor Statistics (2006-07). Occupational Projections and Training Data, 2006-07 Edition. Retrieved December 17, 2007, from http://www.bls.gov/emp/optd/optd001.pdf.
