New Release! State Policy Agenda to Support the Adoption and Scaling of Evidence-Based Student Success Practices: Affordability Policy

Affordability remains one of the greatest barriers to college access and completion, and a critical factor in the success of student support initiatives.

State financial aid and tuition policies do more than ease students’ financial burdens—they influence institutions’ capacity to implement programs that drive persistence and completion. By aligning proven affordability and student success strategies, states can amplify impact, ensure financial sustainability, and sustain progress toward higher completion rates that lead to student success and economic mobility.

HCM’s new policy series, State Policy Agenda to Support the Adoption and Scaling of Evidence-Based Student Success Practices, explores how state policies can expand and sustain proven strategies that drive college completion and economic mobility.

Our new issue brief, Affordability Policy—the second in this series—examines how state affordability policies can bolster the design, adoption, and long-term sustainability of evidence-based student success programs.

This brief explores the question: How can states design affordability policies to support evidence-based student success programs? The examination of key design choices—such as lower tuition vs. more financial aid, covering tuition vs. full cost of attendance, and need-based vs. merit-based aid—yields recommendations for supporting sustainable research-backed student success programs. These recommendations contribute to broader state policy agenda for adopting and scaling evidence-based student success practices—that help students not only enroll, but thrive and graduate.

The first issue brief of this series, on Finance Policy, can be read here. The final issue brief on Student Supports will explore policies and practices for strengthening guided pathways, advising, and developmental education reform.

Together, these briefs provide a comprehensive roadmap for state policymakers committed to advancing evidence-based programs and transforming the postsecondary landscape.

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This is the second installment in our series outlining a state policy agenda for scaling evidence-based student success practices. This brief examines the policy levers that state and institutional leaders can use to increase affordability and drive adoption at scale. In particular, it assesses the trade-offs of design choices on the scaling of student success programs and practices.

The final brief released later this fall will focus on student supports and policies that state can enact that improve student retention, persistence and completion. To view the complete series, including our overview brief and policy framework infographic, please click here.