Master’s education is the fastest growing and largest component of the graduate enterprise in the United States. According to the CGS/GRE Survey of Graduate Enrollment & Degrees for Fall 2020, 84.0% of first-time graduate students were enrolled in programs leading to a master’s degree or a graduate certificate and nearly three quarters (72.9%) of total graduate enrollment was in master’s programs.

CGS's "Top Ten Facts about Master's Degrees" includes key information about the important role master's education plays in fulfilling workforce needs, contributing to the research and development enterprise, and spurring cultural innovation.

PRESS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Contact: Katherine Hazelrigg | (202) 461-3888/ khazelrigg@cgs.nche.edu

Washington, DC – The Council of Graduate Schools applauds the bipartisan reintroduction of the Expanding Access to Graduate Education Act, introduced by Representatives Annie McLane Kuster (D-NH-02), Fred Upton (R-MI-06), Kim Schrier (D-WA-08), and Tim Burchett (R-TN-02). The legislation would provide graduate students, who received Pell Grant support as undergraduates, the ability to apply remaining semesters of Pell support towards a graduate degree, if they remain income eligible. CGS has championed this proposal to modernize the Pell program, thereby improving access and diversity within graduate education and strengthening the workforce.

Currently, the Pell Grant program is only available to undergraduate students, and eligible individuals can receive up to 12 semesters’ worth of grant awards. However, a growing number of graduate students are former Pell recipients. According to the Department of Education, in Academic Year 2015-2016, nearly 46 percent of first-year graduate and professional students received some level of Pell support. While a greater number of students from lower socio-economic means pursuing graduate degrees is an encouraging indicator, over one-third of them did not use all 12 semesters of their grants. This bill would expand support for Pell recipients by encouraging timely completion of their undergraduate degrees and preserving an option for financial assistance through their graduate studies.

“The reintroduction of this legislation highlights a commitment to maximize the Pell Grant program and ensure that individuals with exceptional financial need can pursue higher levels of in-demand education,” said CGS President Suzanne T. Ortega. “Since the COVID-19 pandemic, a lack of financial support is a top concern for prospective graduate students, particularly from underserved backgrounds, so it is paramount that our nation’s investments include expanding access to more students from these communities.”

“The high cost of graduate school is a barrier for many qualified and highly capable students from furthering their education and pursuing careers requiring an advanced degree,” said Rep. Kuster. "The Expanding Access to Graduate Education Act will help level the playing field for post-graduate opportunities, reduce student debt, and ensure workers have the skills they need to help fill the jobs of the future — a win-win for students and our economy."

“It just makes sense to let Pell Grants carry over to graduate school,” Rep. Burchett said. “This is a sensible way we can encourage folks to pursue their education whenever possible.”

“The Pell grant provides considerable financial support to our student body. At the University of New Hampshire over 1,000 of our undergraduate students graduated with remaining Pell eligibility. Of those students, 112 have returned for graduate study. Extending Pell eligibility to graduate students would be enormously significant for those students who could be using Pell rather than taking on additional student debt,” said Dr. Cari Moorhead, dean of the Graduate School at the University of New Hampshire.

“A well-trained workforce is essential for economic growth, and employers are demonstrating increased need for workers with graduate degrees. The Expanding Access to Graduate Education Act would provide increased access to graduate education for Americans wishing to pursue advanced degrees, said Dr. Dixie Thompson, vice provost and dean of the Graduate School at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. “If passed, this Act would advance our commitment to workforce development and to greater access to graduate education regardless of a person’s socio-economic status.”

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On April 13, CGS joined a coalition of higher education organizations on a statement that underscores the importance of expanding suffrage to include more U.S. citizens. The statement outlines the role colleges and universities play in expanding civic participation, particularly for postsecondary students.

On April 8, CGS submitted comments to the National Institutes of Health (NIH) UNITE Initiative in response to a Request for Information inviting insights and suggestions to advance and strengthen racial equity, diversity, and inclusion in the biomedical research workforce and to advance health disparities and health equity research. CGS recommended several measures intended to support NIH's charge to combat racism in the scientific enterprise, including programs to support graduate students whose research and career prospects may have been disrupted due to the pandemic; expanded mental health research; and grant opportunities to address the COVID-19 pandemic's disproportionate impact on minority populations.

New Advocacy Opportunity: Send a FY22 Appropriations Request to Your Member of Congress

CGS has created this resource to assist Council members in submitting appropriations requests to their Members of Congress for programs of importance to graduate education and research. Supplemental resources, including a guide to submitting a request form and a sample form letter, are available here. 

Pleases reach out to Matthew Smith (msmith@cgs.nche.edu) with any questions.

CGS has created a summary of key provisions included in the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, which President Biden signed into law on March 11, 2021. The legislation provides roughly $1.9 trillion in economic relief and $40 billion for colleges and universities. 

Congressional Meetings Role-Playing Videos 

• Recorded at the Pre-Meeting Workshop, 2016 CGS Annual Meeting
  • Meeting: "Average" Type
  • Meeting: Rushed Member of Congress
  • Meeting: Distracted Staff
  • Meeting: Retiring Member of Congress
  • Meeting: Staff with No Background on Issue

CGS Joins Comments on Sec. 117 Foreign Gift Reporting (12/14/2020)

On December 14, CGS joined community comments led by the American Council on Education in response to a Department of Education "notice of interpretation" on how institutions must report "foreign gifts."

CGS Joins CNSF Recommendations for the Biden Transition Team (12/04/20)

On December 4, CGS joined the Coalition for National Science Funding (CNSF) in sending policy recommendations for the National Science Foundation to President-elect Biden and the transition team.

CGS Joins Letter to DHS Requesting Guidance on International Students and Exchange Visitors for Spring 2021 (12/04/20)

On December 4, CGS joined the higher education community on a letter to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) requesting guidance for international students and exchange visitors for the Spring 2021 semester.

CGS Joins Letter on NIH to President-Elect Biden (12/04/20)

On December 4, CGS joined the Ad Hoc Group for Medical Research and 348 colleague organizations on a letter thanking President-elect Joe Biden for his support of scientific research and increased funding for the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and sharing recommendations from the scientific community.

CGS Joins Community Letter to Department of Education Requesting Extended Flexibilities for Student Borrowers during the COVID-19 Pandemic (11/20/20)

On November 20, CGS joined the higher education community on a letter urging the Department of Education to extend the current suspension of payment and zero percent interest for federal student loan borrowers, as well as the suspension of collections on defaulted loans, through December 31, 2021.

CGS Joins Community Letter of Priorities for Higher Ed to President-elect Biden (11/18/20)

On November 18, CGS joined 45 other higher education organizations on a community letter to the Biden administration's transition team detailing regulatory priorities for higher education, including Title IX reform, preservation of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program, protections for international students, and more.

CGS Joins Community Letter to DHS on Amendments to the H-1B Nonimmigrant Visa Program (11/09/20)

On November 9, CGS joined a community letter to Department of Homeland Security leadership responding to the October 8 Interim Final Rule, Strengthening the H-1B Nonimmigrant Visa Classification Program.

CGS Joins Letter Responding to the DOL IFR on the H1-B Prevailing Wage Issue (11/09/20)

On November 9, CGS joined the College and University Professional Association for Human Resources and colleague organizations on a letter to Department of Labor leadership responding to the October 8 Interim Federal Regulation (IFR) entitled Strengthening Wage Protections for the Temporary and Permanent Employment of Certain Aliens in the United States.

CGS Sends Comments to DHS for Proposed Rule on Duration of Status (10/26/20)

On October 26, CGS sent public comments to the Department of Homeland Security opposing the proposed rule and requesting the Department withdraw it. Also on October 26, CGS joined the higher education community in sending public comments to the Department with the same request.

CGS Joins Letter Urging White House to Withdraw EO 13950 (10/08/20)

On October 8, CGS signed a community letter requesting the White House withdraw an executive order "Combating Race and Sex Stereotyping" that would affect institutions' diversity, equity, and inclusion programming.

CGS Requests Extended Comment Period for Proposed Rule on Duration of Status (10/07/20)

On October 7, CGS penned a letter to the Department of Homeland Security, formally requesting the comment period for the proposed rule "Establishing a Fixed Time Period of Admissssioon and an Extension of Stay Procedure for Nonimmigrant Academic Students, Exchange Visitors, and Representatives of Foreign Information Media” published on September 25, 2020 be extended to a minimum of 60 days. CGS also joined a community letter on October 6 with this request. 

CGS Joins Letter to the Department of Education on the Investigation of Princeton University (9/30/20)

On September 30, CGS joined a community letter to Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos urging the department to end its investigation into whether Princeton University is in compliance with federal anti-discrimination law.

CGS Joins Letter to DHS Regarding the Establishment of a HSAC Academic Subcommittee (9/25/20)

On September 25, CGS joined the higher education community on a letter to DHS leaders offering to act as a resource for the Homeland Security Advisory Council (HSAC) Academic Subcommittee.

CGS Joins Letter to DHS Requesting Updated Guidance for Fall 2020 (7/22/20)

On July 22, CGS joined a community letter to Department of Homeland Security (DHS) seeking updated guidance for international students who will be participating in online education for Fall 2020 semester. DHS's July 15 FAQ document following the rescission of its July 6 guidance also creates some concerns, which are outlined in the letter. 

NAGPS-SAGE-CGS Send Joint Letter to DHS on July 6 Guidance (7/14/20)

On July 14, the National Association of Graduate-Professional Students (NAGPS), Student Advocates for Graduate Education (SAGE), and CGS sent a joint letter expressing concern over recent guidance restricting remote access learning for international students in Fall 2020.

CGS Joins Letter on Concerning ICE Guidance (7/10/20)

On July 10, a letter was sent by the higher education community to Department of Homeland Security Acting Director Chad Wolf requesting that guidance prohibiting international students from engaging in fully online education during the COVID-19 pandemic be revoked.

CGS Joins Letter to Sec. DeVos on CARES Act Interim Final Rule (7/2/20)

On July 2, CGS joined the higher ed community in submitting public comments in response to the Department of Education's IFR on eligibility requirements for CARES Act emergency grant aid for students. 

Community Letter Requests Fall 2020 Guidance from State, DHS (7/2/20)

On July 2, CGS signed a community letter to Dept. of State and Dept. of Homeland Security requesting updated guidance on international students for Fall 2020.

CGS Joins Community Letter to Agencies on Value of International Students (4/30/20)

On April 30, 2020, CGS joined 61 additional higher education associations on a letter to the Departments of Homeland Security, State, and Labor expressing the value international students bring to the United States. This letter follows President Trump’s executive order to temporarly suspend immigration.

Higher Education Community Requests Regulatory Relief from Dept. of Ed. (3/24/20)

CGS signed onto a community letter urging the Department of Education to temporarily halt further regulatory action with respect to Title IX and Sec. 117 foreign gift reporting. The letter acknowledges the challenges institutions would face in attempting to comply with additional regulations given the COVID-19 pandemic.

CGS Joins Community Public Comments Regarding Sec. 117 Reporting (3/11/2020)

On March 11, CGS signed onto public comments by the higher education community in response to the Department of Education’s proposed information collection request related to Foreign Gift Reporting (Section 117).

CGS Comments on the American Research Environment (1/28/2020)

On January 28, CGS submitted comments to the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy in response to a Request for Information (RFI) regarding actions federal agencies can take to maximize the quality and effectiveness of the American research environment.

CGS Joins Community Public Comments Regarding Sec. 117 Reporting Requirements (11/5/2019)

On November 5, public comments were submitted by the higher education community in response to the Department of Education’s proposed expansion of foreign gift and contract reporting requirements (Sec. 117, Higher Education Act).

Community Letter in Support of NSF GRFP Awards (10/25/2019)

On October 25, CGS joined a community letter addressed to National Science Foundation Director France Cordova encouraging the agency to allocate at least as many fellowships through the Graduate Research Fellowship Program as it did last year.

CGS Joins Public Comments to IRS on Excise Tax (9/30/2019) 

CGS, along with nine other organizations, sent public comments to the IRS in response to a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking on the net investment income tax (endowment excise tax).

Coalition Letter on PSLF Implementation Concerns (6/24/2019)

On June 24, CGS signed onto a coalition letter to Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos urging the department to waive the requirement that borrowers who qualify for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program (PSLF) must still be working in the public sector when granted loan forgiveness. This requirement has significantly slowed the administration of PSLF for qualified borrowers.

Community Letter on Overtime Regulation (5/21/2019)

On May 21, CGS signed onto a higher education community letter to the Department of Labor regarding its proposed rule updating the salary threshold for the “white collar” exemptions to the Fair Labor Standards Act’s (FLSA) overtime pay requirements. The letter also includes previous comments the community had submitted—which CGS also joined—highlighting the potential impacts of the proposed rule on postdoctoral researchers and graduate research assistants at colleges and universities.

Community Letter on Dept. of Ed. Title IX Regulations (1/30/2019)

On January 30, CGS signed onto public comments submitted to the Department of Education regarding its notice of proposed rulemaking on Title IX campus sexual assault guidance. The comments note that the proposed rule is extremely complex in nature and highlights several concerns and questions.

CGS Comments on H-1B Visa Lottery Proposal (1/2/2019)

On January 2, CGS submitted public comments to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) regarding its proposed changes to the H-1B visa lottery process. The comments acknowledge DHS’ efforts to increase the number of H-1B recipients who have graduate degrees from U.S. colleges and universities and also seeks clarification on potentially unintended consequences.

Community Letter to DHS on Public Charge Proposal (12/10/2018)

On December 10, CGS signed onto comments submitted by the higher education community to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) on a proposed rule regarding inadmissibility of immigrants and non-immigrants on public charge grounds. Specific to higher education, the letter asks that the final regulation explicitly state that it does not apply to Title IV student aid programs or to F-1 and J-1 visas.

Community Letter to HHS on Proposed Definition of Sex (11/29/2018)

On November 29, CGS signed onto a higher education community letter to the Department of Health & Human Services (HHS) voicing concerns around a potential proposal to establish a narrow legal definition of sex. The letter highlights the implications this would have on transgender and gender non-binary students, faculty, and staff at institutions of higher education and urges HHS to not proceed with this action. 

Community Letter on Proposed Visa Fee Increases (9/17/2018)

On September 17, CGS joined the higher education community on comments and feedback submitted to the Department of Homeland Security around its proposed fee increases for the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) calling attention to the potentially adverse impact on international students and faculty as well as U.S. institutions of higher education.

CGS Comments on SEVP Fee Increases (9/16/2018)

On September 16, CGS submitted comments to the Department of Homeland Security in response to a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking regarding proposed fee increases for the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP), voicing concerns around the potential unintended consequences of this proposal. The letter also addressing other recent changes to policies impacting international students, highlighting how in totality, these actions could impede the ability of U.S. colleges and universities to attract top international talent. 

Community Comments on Borrower Defense Rule (8/30/2018)

On August 30, CGS signed on to comments from the higher education community sent to the Department of Education around its proposed final rule on borrower defenses to repayment. The letter specifically addresses proposed changes to the process for granting borrowers relief due to the closure of, or misrepresentations by, their institution. 

CGS Comments on USAID Education Policy (8/2/2018)

On August 2, CGS submitted comments and feedback to the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) around a set of questions posed at a discussion on the U.S. Government Basic Education Strategy and the impending USAID Education Policy. CGS provided several recommendations that USAID can implement with respect to this critical issue, including: strengthening the academic workforce; partnering with institutions to advance research; improving student support services; and bolstering connections with employers and industry.

Community Letter on Proposed Changes to Visa Applications (5/14/2018)

On May 14, CGS signed onto comments submitted by the higher education community to the State Department over its proposed changes to the application for nonimmigrant visas, including student visas, work visas, and tourist visas, which would require the reporting of five years of identifiers for social media platforms, previously used telephone numbers, email addresses, and international travel. The letter highlights the community’s concerns with the message this action would send to international scholars and the impact it would have on the ability of U.S. colleges and universities to attract the world’s top students and researchers.

Community Letter to FBI Director on Higher Ed National Security Issues (4/24/2018)

CGS signed onto a higher education community letter sent on April 24 to FBI Director Christopher Wray expressing concern over the disbanding of the National Security Higher Education Advisory Board (NSHEAB). The letter cites a recent congressional hearing regarding heightened security concerns around international students and theft of intellectual property. It also requests a meeting with relevant national security agencies to discuss national security issues that intersect with higher education.

Community Letter on DACA Renewal Process (4/13/2018)

CGS signed onto a higher education community letter sent on April 13 to the Homeland Security Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen expressing support for the Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) effort to process renewal applications for current Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) registrants. The letter stresses the importance of expediting the process and encourages DHS to promptly review submissions that have recently expired or will expire in the coming days and weeks, to avoid a backlog of applications which may result in a loss of protections for DACA recipients whose status many soon lapse.