Summary
Students are expected to collect information and prepare a short report regarding the characteristics and features of the financing of higher education in two different states.Purpose
From this assignment, students will be able to analyze how higher education is funded in different states, considering the state context, trends in public higher education finance, institutional funding methodology, and critical issues influencing the financing of higher education within the state. Also, students will be able to identify and utilize various sources to review information on the characteristics of higher education financing in multiple states.
Resources
In 3 single-spaced pages, students will prepare a written report regarding the characteristics and features of the financing of higher education in two states. Students will describe AND compare the characteristics and features of the two states in the following dimensions:
State context (e.g., economy, demographics, politics, public/private higher education system, governing or coordinating bodies, etc.)
Trends and patterns in higher education finance (e.g., recent and current years’ enrollment and tuition/fees at public/private, 4-year/2-year institutions, state appropriations and related state budget issues, state need-based and merit-based aid for students, tax capacity and tax effort, affordability issues, income per capita, endowments/fundraising, state/institutional expenditures on research/instruction, etc.)
Critical issues influencing the financing of higher education in the state (e.g., outlook for state funding, changes in political leadership, new initiatives, pending legislation, tax laws being discussed, society’s support for higher education, concerns about tuition and aid programs, special attention to issues related to two- or four-year or public or private institutions, etc.)
When possible and appropriate, compare the trends in the two states with the national averages and trends.
In the report, students must specify the sources of information and the methods used to acquire information and data for the report. Below are some of the reports and information students can use to begin their investigation of states:
State Higher Education Executive Officers Association (SHEEO) – https://sheeo.org/Links to an external site.
State Higher Education Finance Report – https://shef.sheeo.org/report/Links to an external site.
National Conference of State LegislaturesState postsecondary governance and finance policies – https://www.ncsl.org/research/education/interactive-guide-to-state-post-secondary-governance-and-finance-policies.aspxLinks to an external site.
Urban InstituteBaum, S., & Blagg, K. (2021). A review of state grant aid in Texas. https://www.urban.org/sites/default/files/publication/104281/a-review-of-state-grant-aid-in-texas_0.pdfLinks to an external site.
Monarrez, T., Hernandez, F., & Rainer, M. (2021). Impact of state higher education finance on attainment. https://www.urban.org/sites/default/files/publication/104518/impact-of-state-higher-education-finance-on-attainment_2.pdfLinks to an external site.
Education Commission of the States 50-state comparisons: State postsecondary governance structures. https://www.ecs.org/50-state-comparison-postsecondary-governance-structures/Links to an external site.
Department of Higher Education e.g., IOWA – https://educateiowa.gov/Links to an external site.
State System of Higher Education e.g., Philadelphia – https://www.passhe.edu/Pages/default.aspxLinks to an external site.
State Higher Education Coordinating Boarde.g., Texas – https://www.highered.texas.govLinks to an external site.
Don’t use complex vocabulary since I’m a grad international student