Education creates opportunities and is integral to maintaining America’s globally competitive economy. An educated workforce begins in local communities and expands to the state, the nation, and the world. Higher Learning Advocates higher education policy toolkit for the 118th Congress focuses on connecting opportunity, supporting students, and delivering value with solutions to help strengthen our nation’s post-high school education and skills development system.

HLA’s higher education policy toolkit explains why failing to increase the number of Americans with postsecondary degrees and credentials has individual, societal, and economic consequences. The toolkit highlights statistics and trends such as students who start school but drop out are two times more likely to default on their student loans than those who complete a program of study. Additionally, individuals with some college but no credential are at a higher risk of living in poverty than their credentialed counterparts, leading to a higher dependence on basic needs entitlements. Educated workers also make more than non-educated workers and as a result, contribute more to tax revenue.

As the U.S. continues to move through the fourth industrial revolution, it’s imperative Americans have access to affordable and high-quality education to stay competitive in the global economy.

Read Strengthening Higher Education for Today’s Students: A Toolkit for the 118th Congress here.