NCAN is a nonprofit membership and advocacy association. Our mission is to support members and influence leaders, organizations, policies, and systems across the country to increase equity and excellence in postsecondary degree access and attainment.
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Our Leadership Summit and Executive Retreat returns April 7-8, 2026! Join us in Washington, DC, this spring to make your voice heard about issues affecting your students and communities.
The high school class of 2024’s immediate college enrollment rate changed very little from the class of 2023’s, and enrollment, persistence, and completion gaps based on income levels and demographics remain unfortunately stubborn. These are the big takeaways from the National Student Clearinghouse Research Center’s (NSCRC) recently released High School Benchmarks report.
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In September, NCAN's 2025 National Conference, coinciding with the organization’s 30th anniversary, brought together nearly 1,500 leaders in college access and success - educators, practitioners, students, and advocates - all sharing one purpose: to move past incremental change toward systemic shifts in how students access, afford, and complete college.
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Despite widespread recognition that postsecondary education is an important ladder to individual opportunity and workforce development, college remains financially out of reach for students across the country. A recent analysis from NCAN finds that students at public colleges and universities – once touted as low-cost options – still face significant unmet need.
Read MoreStudents from low-income backgrounds are about half as likely to complete a postsecondary degree or certificate by age 26 as their high-income peers.
Learn MoreNCAN member-served students from low-income high schools were nearly 40% more likely to earn a postsecondary credential within six years.
Learn MoreThe maximum Pell Grant used to be worth more than 75% of the cost of attendance at a public four-year institution. Today, it's worth less than 30%.
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