Lumina Foundation

Are you interested in higher education trends in your state? Lumina Foundation’s Stronger Nation data tool includes a searchable, state-by-state database that analyzes the latest federal statistics. Discover the tool here: https://bit.ly/3ExAfUI

The 2024 FAFSA rollout was chaotic, to say the least. But this year's process has been a far cry from the technical glitches, processing issues, delays, and overall confusion from last year. Former United States Under Secretary of Education James Kvaal said it's been "boring." "Which maybe is the way it should be, but the form is up and running, the students are able to complete it, it's easier than it was before, and we're not getting anything like the scrutiny from press and congress and other sources as we did last year," he said on the latest episode of Today’s Student / Tomorrow’s Talent. "That's an encouraging sign. It's a sign that people feel good about how the FAFSA is working, and it's working the way it should be." Listen to the full episode:

Many young people and their families wonder whether college is worth the time, money, and effort. How are these concerns affecting college-going rates and degree attainment? Courtney Brown of Lumina Foundation cites the latest data in her blog to address these questions and more. Read more here: https://lnkd.in/de_-4iKd

Seventeen years ago, we set a goal of 60 percent of working-age adults earning a college degree or credentials with labor market value. This ambitious focus on completion has driven attainment from 37.9 percent in 2008 to 54.9 in 2023. As we celebrate the strides toward a better-educated country, we also know growing concerns over affordability threaten progress, Jamie Merisotis writes. On March 4, we will unveil a new goal—one shaped by research into Americans' views on higher education. While many worry about cost, they still see degrees as a path to opportunity. The challenge? Ensuring degrees truly lead to good jobs. Stay tuned as we chart the next chapter in learning after high school.

More than 80% of Gen Z says a college education is important, but far fewer head to college. Lumina President and CEO Jamie Merisotis considers why.

We're looking for five interns to join us this summer in various roles: communications, innovation and discovery, public policy, culture and talent, and finance and impact investing. The deadline to apply is Feb. 14. Apply now or share with your network!

The 2024 #FAFSA season was rough. Released late, riddled with errors, and dogged by processing issues, the launch of a simplified form led to a chaotic college enrollment season for students, families, and colleges. With the 2025 FAFSA released, Lumina Foundation's Today's Student / Tomorrow's Talent podcast caught up with James Kvaal, former undersecretary of education, to learn how they fixed the form. We also talked with Sam Aleinikoff and Corey Sheffield, Ph.D., of College AIM, an Atlanta-based nonprofit, that participated in a pilot group to test this year's form.   #college #enrollment #financialaid #studentloans #PellGrants #podcast

Lumina Foundation’s Courtney Brown offers insights into the value of higher learning and explores education attainment rates among working-age adults. To learn more, read: Reflecting on 15 year: We are a Stronger Nation.

New data released yesterday shows that nearly 55 percent of working-age adults in the United States have earned a degree or credential after graduating high school, marking 17 percentage points of growth since we started tracking attainment in 2008. Check out A Stronger Nation, our tool measuring this growth: https://lnkd.in/gFJCdKXH

Today, nearly 55 percent of working-age adults in the United States hold a degree or credential beyond high school—a milestone highlighted in the most recent data released this afternoon. This progress tells a story of individual ambition, systemic resilience, and shared commitment to creating opportunities for all.