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Federal Policy Agenda
The Council of Graduate Schools' 2021-2022 Federal Policy Agenda outlines CGS's federal policy principles and priorities impacting graduate education. CGS is committed to working with the 117th Congress and the Biden Administration in a bipartisan manner to advance policies that improve access to graduate education, promote the United States as a global leader, and create a more equitable society for all.
Strengthen Federal Student Loans and Financial Aid
Strengthen federal financial aid programs that allow individuals to access and complete graduate degrees in order to promote a competitive U.S. workforce.
- Policy Brief: Maximizing Pell Grants to Support Graduate Students
- Policy Brief: How Graduate Students Finance Their Education
- Policy Brief: Federal Financial Support for U.S. Graduate Students During COVID-19
- Policy Brief: Accessing Grad Ed: Grad PLUS Direct Loan Program
- NEW Policy Brief: Federal Investment in Grad Ed: Graduate Assistance in Areas of National Need
Prime Tax Policies to Support Graduate Education
Promote tax policies that encourage the pursuit of graduate education by providing incentives that increase access and affordability.
Promote the U.S. through International Graduate Education and Research
Advocate for immigration and visa policies that encourage the exchange of both American and international students.
- Policy Brief: International Graduate Students: Innovators, Researchers, and Entrepreneurs
- Policy Brief: Optional Practical Training
- Policy Brief: DACA and Graduate Education
Advance Research and Innovation
Invest in science and research that is critical to the nation’s ability to remain globally competitive, as well as the benchmark in terms of timely breakthroughs and innovation.
Promote Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
Support federal policies that promote diversity, equity, and inclusion both within our graduate programs and the workforce.
Support Graduate Student Success and Wellbeing
Support investments and activities that allow graduate students to fully thrive in their education and research.
CGS is the leading source of information, data analysis, and trends in graduate education. Our benchmarking data help member institutions to assess performance in key areas, make informed decisions, and develop plans that are suited to their goals.
CGS Best Practice initiatives address common challenges in graduate education by supporting institutional innovations and sharing effective practices with the graduate community. Our programs have provided millions of dollars of support for improvement and innovation projects at member institutions.
As the national voice for graduate education, CGS serves as a resource on issues regarding graduate education, research, and scholarship. CGS collaborates with other national stakeholders to advance the graduate education community in the policy and advocacy arenas.
CGS is an authority on global trends in graduate education and a leader in the international graduate community. Our resources and meetings on global issues help members internationalize their campuses, develop sustainable collaborations, and prepare their students for a global future.
