A new college rating system would help measure value – based on such factors as affordability, graduation rates, alumni employment, and how much colleges are assisting disadvantaged students.
The Department of Education will hold forums and set up the system within two years. By 2018, the president would like federal college aid to be tied to the rating system, but that, along with much of the plan, would require approval from Congress, which many see as unlikely.
To encourage state reforms and better state funding for higher education, Obama proposed a $1 billion Race to the Top grant competition for states. To promote innovation to drive down costs – such as the use of massive open online courses (MOOCs) – he proposed a $260 million grant program. And to make student debt manageable, Obama wants to make all college borrowers eligible for “Pay as You Earn,” capping repayment of federal loans at 10 percent of monthly income.
