NCAN's State Policy Resource Center

States invest more than $100 billion in higher education annually. National College Attainment Network (NCAN) members are working in state capitols across the country toward a future where postsecondary education is affordable for every student who wants to attain a college degree. Our State Policy Resource Center is a compilation of member-informed, NCAN-produced research, issue briefs, state analyses, and how-to guides to equip and empower state policy advocates to maximize their impact.

Here, you’ll find ready-to-print snapshots of your state’s postsecondary affordability landscape, the economic value of college attainment, key state policy levers complete with state rankings, and much, much more. If you’re looking to close equity gaps in college attainment, we invite you to explore these tools and resources and to reach out with suggestions for additional resources that would help us help you!

Explore NCAN's State Policy Reports, Resources, and Tools

NCAN's State Policy Priorities

NCAN's state policy agenda is a set of core strategies to promote equitable access, affordability, and attainment in postsecondary education.

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State-Level Policy Levers

Explore eight state landscape analyses on key policies that can shift students' college and career readiness.

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Increasing College Affordability

Policy and advocacy at the state level can go a long way to increasing affordability. Explore how NCAN members are doing so in states nationwide.

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Issue Briefs & How-To Guides

This page features resources on effective state financial aid programs, policies to advance FAFSA completion, how to build coalitions, and much more!

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State Profiles: Economic Value of College

Explore state-by-state reports on the economic value of producing more college graduates and why it's worth it to invest in higher education.

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Affordability Gap Research & State Profiles

NCAN's annual study of college affordability continues to demonstrate how unaffordable public institutions are, especially for Pell Grant recipients.

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Pell Grants Left on the Table

The high school class of 2024 left over $4 billion in Pell Grants on the table by not completing the FAFSA. Explore national and state figures.

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NCAN's FAFSA Tracker

Explore high school seniors' FAFSA completion rates at the national, state, and local levels. This data is updated weekly when the form is open.

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Reach Out to NCAN!

For more than 30 years, NCAN has been making postsecondary access and attainment more equitable. We are NCAN members' voice in Washington, DC, and we support members' own advocacy in their statehouses across the country.

Want to learn more about policy and advocacy that can increase postsecondary access and attainment? We'd love to hear from you! Contact Catherine Brown, Senior Director, Policy and Advocacy, or Louisa Woodhouse, Senior Associate, Policy and Advocacy.

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