IMPACT | Transforming funding and financial aid systems across the country
For over 12 years, HCM has worked across several states to transform the higher education financing model.
HCM has focused on building a more equitable postsecondary system through outcomes-based funding. This funding model focuses on meeting the needs of specific student groups to improve their outcomes.
The previous approach was one where all performance-based funding was viewed as the same. When HCM started working on this in 2011, we took a much more nuanced understanding, which has transformed the way we talk about higher education funding across the U.S.
We have evaluated, refined, and reformed policies in alignment with completion and equity in 18 states over the past 10+ years
Our APPROACH
Our work in finance reflects our philosophy and values, which are grounded in the notion that policy (and our understanding of it) is not static.
We work to constantly adapt and refine our understanding of policy through evaluation, research, and state implementation. We ensure that the way a policy is working is in support of a state’s priorities.
We also prioritize student success with a lens toward equity and making education more accessible for underserved populations.
State SPOTLIGHTS
Illinois
HCM facilitated and supported the content and analytical development of a legislatively-directed commission to provide for a more equitable and adequate university funding model.
Because these issues aren’t fully fleshed out in the field, HCM is conducting field-pushing work. There is a 30+ member commission that HCM is providing facilitation, content expertise, and deep quantitative analysis for.
Texas
HCM recently completed a facilitation and content expertise process.
Our most recent report, An Examination of the Costs of Texas Community Colleges, is intended to inform Texas policymakers’ efforts to distribute funding for community colleges to support equitable opportunities for all students to succeed in college.
Ohio
HCM’s work in Ohio began in 2013. One of their key partners has been AOCC. HCM facilitated their group following a request from the governor to reinforce or better align the funding model.
The focus was on making sure it incentivizes good student success practices.
Our work went down to the institutional level to understand where they’re doing well and where they have opportunities to improve. We developed a trend tool and other analytical tools to use at the campus level.
