CGS presented three awards during its 2010 Annual Meeting (12/9/10)

CGS presented three awards during its 2010 Annual Meeting in Washington, D.C.: the 2010 Arlt Award in the Humanities, (press release), the 2010 CGS/UMI Distinguished Dissertation Awards (press release), and Michigan State University won the ETS/CGS Award for Innovation in Promoting Success in Graduate Education (press release).

 

Osmer of The Ohio State University to Serve as Chair of CGS Board (12/9/10)

CGS announces that Patrick S. Osmer, Vice Provost for Graduate Studies and Dean of the Graduate School at The Ohio State University, has become Chair of its Board of Directors. Lisa Tedesco of Emory University is now Chair-elect. Elected to the CGS Board were graduate deans Joseph N. Benoit of the University of North Dakota, James C. Wimbush of Indiana University, Jo Rae Wright of Duke University, Harry Richards of the University of New Hampshire, and Maureen Grasso of the University of Georgia.

 

Graduate Education Leaders Discuss Potential to Collaborate on Preparing Future Faculty to Assess Student Learning (11/22/10)

CGS hosted a meeting of assessment experts and graduate deans to explore how universities across the country can work together to better prepare graduate students who aspire to faculty positions with the skills they will need to assess student learning.

 

First-Time International Graduate Student Enrollment up 3% (11/9/10)

A new CGS survey on international graduate admissions trends has found fall 2010 international first-time graduate student enrollment grew 3%, a positive trend following the lack of growth in first-time international enrollment last year. Declines slowed for students from South Korea and India, while China’s first-time enrollment numbers grew 20% and the Middle East increased 7%.

 

Graduate Education Leaders Share Best Practices and Identify National Needs in Research and Scholarly Integrity (11/1/10)

CGS shares results of a recent meeting of senior university leaders, researchers, and federal funders of science where they discussed future directions for graduate student education in research integrity.

 

Completion and Attrition in STEM Master’s Programs Project Launched (10/20/10)

CGS has been awarded a grant to collect and analyze data on master's degree completion and attrition in STEM fields.

 

Graduate Education Leaders Issue Global Statement on Quality (9/15/10)

Representatives of 17 countries agreed to principles for assessing the quality of graduate education, at a Global Summit co-hosted by CGS.

 

Graduate Enrollment Continues Strong Growth in 2009 (9/14/10)

CGS' annual Graduate Enrollment and Degrees report shows that women earned the majority of doctorates awarded in 2008-09, for the first time.

 

Number of Universities Offering PSM Programs Surpasses 100 (9/7/10)

The number of universities offering Professional Science Master's (PSM) programs surpassed 100, and the number of programs doubled in barely 2 years, to over 200.

 

International Graduate Admissions Up 3%, Reversing Last Year’s Decline (8/19/10)

Offers of admission to prospective international graduate students rose 3% in 2010, reversing last year's 1% decline, a CGS survey found.

 

Two New Books Address the Promise and Challenges of International Graduate Collaborations (7/8/10)

CGS released two publications that address the promise and challenges of international graduate collaborations.

 

CGS Applauds First Historically Black University to Establish PSM Program (5/13/10)

CGS applauded the University of the District of Columbia, the first HBCU to establish a PSM program.

 

CGS Launches Project to Prepare Future Faculty to Assess Student Learning (5/17/10)

CGS received a grant to examine the preparation of graduate students to assess student learning outcomes.

 

Landmark Study Confirms Graduate Education’s Role in Maintaining U.S. Global Competitiveness and Innovation (4/29/10)

The Commission on the Future of Graduate Education, a joint initiative between CGS and ETS, released its landmark report.

 

CGS Names 2010-11 Dean in Residence (4/8/10)

CGS has announced that Marquette University dean William Wiener will be its 2010-11 Dean-in-Residence.

 

International Graduate Applications Rise 7% (4/6/10)

Applications from prospective international students to U.S. graduate schools have increased 7% in 2010, the largest increase in 3 years, a CGS survey has found.

 

Project Transforming Organizational Culture in Doctoral Education (3/31/10)

A new publication from the Ph.D. Completion Project highlights promising practices that universities have implemented to reduce attrition from doctoral programs.

Lisa Tedesco of Emory University to Serve as Chair of CGS Board (12/14/11)
CGS announces that Lisa Tedesco, Vice Provost for Academic Affairs - Graduate Studies and Dean of the James T. Laney School of Graduate Studies at Emory University, has become Chair of its Board of Directors. Robert Augustine of Eastern Illinois University is now Chair-elect. Elected to the CGS Board were graduate deans Maureen Grasso of the University of Georgia, Barbara A. Knuth of Cornell University, Ramona Mellott of Northern Arizona University, Mark J.T. Smith of Purdue University, and Pamela C. Stacks of San Jose State University.

 

Winners of 2011 CGS/ProQuest® Distinguished Dissertation Awards Announced (12/14/11)
The 2011 CGS/ProQuest Distinguished Dissertation Award was presented to Nathaniel Adam Sowa (Ph.D., University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill) and Kirsten A. Weld (Ph.D., Yale University).

 

Eastern Illinois University Wins ETS/CGS Award for Innovation in Promoting Success in Graduate Education (12/14/11)
The third annual “ETS/CGS Award for Innovation in Promoting Success in Graduate Education: From Admission through Completion” was presented to Eastern Illinois University during the 51st Annual Meeting of the Council of Graduate Schools (CGS). The award is sponsored by CGS and Educational Testing Service (ETS). Dr. Robert Augustine, Dean of the Graduate School, accepted the award on behalf of Eastern Illinois University (EIU).

 

George C. Grinnell Wins 2011 Arlt Award in the Humanities (12/14/11)
The 2011 Arlt Award in the Humanities, for a first book of outstanding scholarly significance, was presented to George C. Grinnell of the University of British Columbia Okanagan.

 

First-Time International Graduate Student Enrollment surges 8% (11/8/11)
A new CGS survey on international graduate admissions trends has found fall 2011 international first-time graduate student enrollment grew 8% over last year, driven by China's 21% growth.

 

CGS Launches Graduate Education Project on Research Ethics in International Collaborations (10/18/11)
CGS has been awarded a 3-year grant from the National Science Foundation (NSF) to support the integration of research ethics education into graduate international collaborations.

 

New project to examine minority completion and attrition in STEM doctoral programs (10/04/11)
CGS has been awarded a 3-year grant from the National Science Foundation (NSF) to examine completion and attrition among underrepresented minorities in STEM doctoral programs.

 

Graduate Education Leaders Issue Global Statement on Career Outcomes for Students (9/28/11)
Representatives of 16 countries agreed to principles to strengthen and create pathways from graduate school to careers, at a Global Summit co-hosted by CGS.

 

New Graduate Student Enrollment Down Slightly in 2010 (9/22/11)
CGS' annual Graduate Enrollment and Degrees report shows a 1.1% decline in first-time enrollment, the first decrease since fall 2003.

 

New Professional Science Master’s Degree Handbook Published (9/20/11)
A new handbook entitled “Professional Science Master’s: A Council of Graduate Schools Guide to Establishing Programs,” which distills best practices and experienced-based information from Professional Science Master’s (PSM) programs nationwide.

 

Strong Job Placement Found for Professional Science Master’s Degree Holders (8/23/11)
A new survey documents hiring outcomes for 2010-11 Professional Science Master's (PSM) graduates and perceived satisfaction with the PSM degree. Key findings include: 82% of PSM graduates had jobs soon after receiving their degrees and of those who were working, 88% were working in a job that is closely or somewhat related to their field of study.

 

International Graduate Admissions See Largest Increase Since 2006 (8/16/11)
Offers of admission to prospective international graduate students rose 11% in 2011, the largest increase since 2006, according to a new CGS survey.

 

CGS releases national Professional Science Master’s program data (8/9/11)
A new survey highlights interest from a wide range of students in the Professional Science Master's (PSM) degree. This new report includes data on applications received and accepted for fall 2010, as well as enrollment data for fall 2010 and degrees awarded during the 2009-10 academic year, from nearly 90% of all PSM programs worldwide.

 

New Book Explores International Approaches to Measuring Quality in Graduate Education (7/7/11)
CGS released a new publication Global Perspectives on Measuring Quality: Proceedings of the 2010 Strategic Leaders Global Summit on Graduate Education today. The book contains brief essays by the 43 Global Summit participants representing 17 countries. The proceedings examine the benefits and challenges of assessing the quality of master's and doctoral programs in different global regions while highlighting international best practices in measuring quality.

 

Institutions to Collect Vital Data on Preparing Master’s Talent in STEM Fields (6/21/11)
CGS made awards to five universities to participate in a study on completion and attrition in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) master's programs.

 

Report highlights best practices in preparing graduate students for faculty careers (5/17/11)
CGS released a new report, Preparing Future Faculty to Assess Student Learning, which describes the need for greater faculty engagement in the assessment of undergraduate student learning and outlines a strategy for achieving this goal through enhanced preparation of graduate students. The report examines how model programs introduce graduate students to assessment concepts and approaches and identifies promising practices for scaling up these efforts within and across institutions of higher education.

 

International Graduate Applications Continue to Rise (4/12/11)
A new CGS survey on applications from prospective international students to US graduate schools for fall 2011 found that applications increased overall by 9%, following a similar gain last year. Growth was driven in part by applications from China, which rose 18%.

 

“Steps Taken on the Path Forward” highlights impact of landmark report (4/5/11)
Policymakers, business leaders, and higher education stakeholders shared their perspectives on the importance of graduate education to U.S. innovation and competitiveness at the CGS Legislative Forum. A new document, "Steps Taken on the Path Forward" was released which reviews the impact of The Path Forward report one year later and outlines issues and challenges confronting graduate education now and into the future.

 

Council of Graduate Schools Applauds President’s Emphasis on Innovation, Research, and Education (1/26/11)
CGS issued this statement in response to President Obama's 2011 State of the Union address. CGS welcomed his references to economic competitiveness and the importance of research, and looks forward to working with the Administration and Congress to craft policies that encourage more students to pursue and complete graduate degrees.

 

View 2010 Press Releases

 

CGS Joins Letter Requesting Additional Coronavirus Relief for Institutions and Students (5/29/20)

On May 29, CGS joined a community letter to Senate leadership emphasizing the higher education community’s need for additional funding during the coronavirus emergency. The letter reiterates the $46.6 billion previously requested in an April letter CGS had also joined.

 

CGS Joins Letter Requesting COVID-19 Limited Liability Protections (5/28/20)

On May 28, CGS joined a community letter to congressional leadership requesting temporary and targeted liability protections to safeguard higher education institutions and their communities as colleges and universities work to safely reopen their doors.

 

CGS Supports the HEROES Act (5/14/20)

On May 14, CGS joined a higher education community letter in support of the Health and Economic Recovery Omnibus Emergency Solutions (HEROES) Act (H.R. 6800). The bill provides approximately $3 trillion in economic relief in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

 

CGS Letter to DHS and DOS on International Graduate Students (5/13/2020)

On May 13, CGS sent a letter to the Department of Homeland Security and the Department of State with recommendations and seeking additional guidance on issues related to the international graduate student pipeline during COVID-19.

 

CGS Joins Letter Requesting Technical Changes to CARES Act (5/8/20)

On May 7, CGS joined a higher education community letter to leadership of the House Education and Labor and Senate HELP committees requesting technical changes that would further improve provisions in the CARES Act. 

 

CGS Supports the American Opportunity Student Tax Relief Act (5/6/2020)

On May 7, CGS joined its higher education colleagues in supporting a bill introduced by Rep. Lloyd Doggett (D-TX) and Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA) that would ensure emergency grants to students from the CARES Act are not taxed and makes improvements to the AOTC program.

 

Coalition Urges Additional Long-Term Support for NIH (4/27/2020)

On April 27, the Ad Hoc Group for Medical Research coalition, of which CGS is a member, sent a letter requesting an additional $31 billion for the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to help the United States recover from the COVID-19 pandemic. Requested for future congressional emergency packages, the additional funding will address COVID-19-related research, short- and long-term investments to maintain and build the nation’s biomedical research enterprise, and continue NIH’s investments in disease research (coronavirus or other) through regular appropriations.

 

CGS Joins Higher Ed Community Letter on the Taxability of CARES Act Emergency Grants for Students (4/21/2020)

On April 21, CGS joined the higher education community in a letter to ensure CARES Act emergency student financial aid grants are not subject to taxation. 

 

CGS Joins Community Letters to House and Senate Requesting Relief for Student Loan Borrowers (4/20/2020)

On April 20, CGS joined the higher education community on letters to the House and Senate requesting relief for student loan borrowers. The letters urge relief for borrowers until June 30, 2021, or until the unemployment rates remain below 8 percent for three consecutive months. Among the proposals include requests to continue the zero-interest deferred payments for borrowers and the suspension of collection activities for borrowers who have defaulted on any type of federal loan provided under the CARES Act and to extend the post-graduation grace period for students leaving school.

 

CGS’s Requests for Future COVID-19 Legislation (4/17/2020)

On April 17, CGS sent letters to House and Senate leadership outlining policy recommendations and requests to be adopted in future legislation addressing the COVID-19 pandemic. Specifically, the association requests $46.6 billion to assist students and institutions, additional funding for federal research grants and extensions, suspending taxation on student grant aid and scholarship, making federal student loan and repayment terms more feasible, and outlining concerns related to the international graduate student community.

 

CGS Joins the Higher Ed Community in Support of Additional Benefits for Student Veterans (4/13/2020)

On April 13, CGS joined the higher education community on a letter supporting the Student Veteran Coronavirus Response Act of 2020. The bill would provide the Department of Veterans Affairs flexibility to address disruptions to veterans’ education benefits caused by COVID-19.

 

CGS Joins Higher Ed Community Letters to House and Senate with Requests for next COVID-19 Package (4/9/2020)

On April 9, CGS joined the higher education community on letters to the House and Senate requesting an additional $46.6 billion in emergency aid to institutions and students during the COVID-19 pandemic.

 

CGS Joins Higher Ed Community with Tax Policy Requests for Phase 4 (4/9/2020)

On April 9, CGS joined over 30 other higher education associations on a letter to House and Senate leadership with tax policy requests for the next COVID-19 stimulus bill.

 

Higher Education Community Advocates for Increased Telehealth and Telemental Health (4/2/2020)

On April 2, CGS joined a community letter urging state governors to temporarily suspend state-based licensing restrictions on health care and mental health care professionals to ensure access to sufficient health services (including those for students) during the COVID-19 public health emergency.

 

Community Letter in Support of Above-the-Line Deduction (3/23/20)

CGS joined a community letter commending Senator James Lankford (R-OK) for introducing an amendment to create an above-the-line deduction for charitable giving.  

 

Community Letter to Congress Calls for Emergency Aid for Students and Institutions (3/23/2020)

On March 23, CGS joined the higher education community in sending letters to House and Senate leadership urging Congress to actualize emergency relief to students, colleges, and universities in light of the coronavirus pandemic. The proposal requests emergency relief to students and institutions, access to low-cost capital, a technology relief fund, and administrative flexibility.

 

Letter to House Leadership Regarding Veterans’ Online Education Benefits (3/19/2020)

On March 16, the Senate passed bipartisan legislation, S. 3503, granting the Secretary of the Department of Veterans Affairs authority to provide education benefits for veterans when approved education programs move online due to an emergency or health-related situation. Alongside 70 peer organizations, CGS urges House leadership to quickly pass the Senate’s bipartisan legislation, and in doing so, support student veterans in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

 

CGS joined 42 other higher education organizations in encouraging the House of Representatives to pass the FUTURE Act, H.R. 5363. The bill is a new plan crafted by the Senate to permanently fund Historically Black Colleges and Universities, Hispanic-Serving Institutions, Tribal Colleges and Universities, and other Minority-Serving Institutions for which funding expired October 1. The agreement would also simplify the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and streamline income-driven repayment.  

 

On December 9, CGS joined the higher education community in expressing support for several tax fixes to be included in end of the year negotiations in Congress. The requests included fixing unintended consequences from changes to the so-called “kiddie tax,” reenacting tuition deduction and repealing the new parking and endowment taxes.

 

CNSF Letter to Appropriations Leadership Re: FY 2020 (10/25/2019)

On October 25, the Coalition for National Science Funding sent a letter to House and Senate appropriations committee leadership urging them to complete the FY 2020 Commerce-Justice-Science bill and to provide the National Science Foundation with at least $8.6 billion.

 

Ad Hoc Group for Medical Research FY 2020 Letter (10/24/2019)

On October 24, CGS joined an Ad Hoc Group for Medical Research coalition letter addressed to leaders of the House and Senate appropriations committees urging them to swiftly agree to increasing the LHHS-ED allocation for FY 2020, which would boost funding for the National Institutes of Health.

 

CGS Letter to Education & Labor Committee on the College Affordability Act (10/28/19)

On October 28, CGS submitted a letter to the House Committee on Education and Labor in response to the introduction of the College Affordability Act, which would reauthorize the Higher Education Act. The bill includes measures to expand support for graduate education, including allowing graduate students to allocate remaining semesters of Pell support towards their graduate degree, reinstating subsidized loans for graduate students, and increasing support for HBCUs, HSIs, TCUs, and other MSIs.

 

CGS Joins Community Letter in Response to the College Affordability Act (10/28/2019)

CGS signed a higher education community letter expressing support and concern for provisions contained within the House’s College Affordability Act, which would reauthorize the Higher Education Act.

 

Community Letters to House and Senate Urge Passage of the FUTURE Act (9/17/2019)

CGS, along with 42 other organizations, sent a letter to leadership in the House of Representatives and the Senate urging passage of the Fostering Undergraduate Talent by Unlocking Resources for Education (FUTURE) Act (H.R. 2486), which would extend vital, mandatory funding for STEM programs at HBCUs, HSIs, MSIs, and TCUs. Funding expires September 30, 2019 if an extension is not passed into law.

 

CGS-Led Community Letter in Support of Expanding Access to Graduate Education Act (8/15/2019)

On August 15, CGS led a community letter to the co-sponsors of the Expanding Access to Graduate Education Act (H.R. 3334). The legislation would allow graduate students, who received Pell Grants as undergraduates, to continue allocating unused semesters of support towards a graduate degree.

 

Community Letter on College Hunger Legislation (8/1/2019)

On August 1, CGS joined the higher education community in support of the College Student Hunger Act of 2019 (S. 2143/H.R. 3809). The legislation expands Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) access to eligible colleges students, including a portion of graduate students.  

 

CGS Supports House and Senate Bills to Address Campus Food Insecurity (7/30/2019)

On July 30, CGS sent a letter of support the College Student Hunger Act of 2019 (H.R. 3809/S.2143), which would expand eligibility requirements for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) to include Pell Grant-eligible and certain independent students, as well as those who have an expected family contribution of zero. The letters applaud the cosponsors for addressing the critical issue of food insecurity in higher education, but also urges them to reconsider the definition of “independent student” to increase eligibility for a broader range of graduate students.

 

CGS Supports Teacher Prep Legislation (7/30/2019)

On July 30, CGS sent a letter in support of the Teacher Education for Computer Science Act (H.R. 3808), which would provide funding to improve the training of graduate-prepared computer science teachers at U.S. graduate schools.

 

CGS Supports House and Senate Bills on College Student Mental Health (7/23/2019)

On July 23, CGS sent letters in support of the Higher Education Mental Health Act of 2019 (H.R. 3489/S. 1204), which would create a national commission aimed at improving services available to students with mental health issues. The letter urges the lawmakers to remain aware of the unique needs of graduate students, “non-traditional” students, and student veterans. CGS has previously supported the legislation when it was introduced in the 115^th Congress.

 

Community Letter Urges Support for Graduate Education in HEA Reauthorization (7/15/2019)

On July 15, CGS joined the higher education community in a letter to key lawmakers in the House and Senate urging them to prioritize graduate and professional education as they work on reauthorizing the Higher Education Act (HEA). Specifically, the letter calls out federal programs that provide financial assistance for graduate students, including Grad PLUS.

 

CGS Supports Bill Eliminating Student Loan Fees (7/12/2019)

On July 12, CGS sent a letter of support to the cosponsors of the Fee Free Student Loan Act (H.R. 3674), which would eliminate origination fees on all federal student loans. 

 

CGS Supports Bill to Reinstate Subsidized Loans for Graduate Students (7/3/2019)

On July 3, CGS sent a letter to Rep. Judy Chu (D-CA) in support of H.R. 3418, the Protecting Our Students by Terminating Graduate Rates that Add to Debt (POST GRAD) Act, which would again make graduate students eligible for subsidized federal student loans. 

 

CGS Supports Elimination of Origination Fees on Student Loans (7/1/2019)

On July 1, CGS sent a letter in support of S.1696, Student Loan Tax Elimination Act which would eliminate origination fees on all federal student loans. Graduate students currently pay multiple origination fees.

 

Community Letter Calls on Senate to Pass Dream Act (6/27/2019)

On June 27, CGS signed onto a higher education community letter urging the Senate to pass the Dream Act of 2019 (S.874), which would provide permanent legal status and a pathway to citizenship for Dreamers, including those currently protected by the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program. CGS had supported the legislation upon reintroduction earlier this year, as well as in previous Congresses. 

 

CGS-Led Community Letter on Grad PLUS Program (6/26/2019)

On June 26, CGS led a community letter to the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee urging members to preserve the Grad PLUS loan program as they consider the reauthorization of the Higher Education Act. The letter highlights the importance of Grad PLUS in enabling graduate and professional students to finance their education. 

 

Community Letter Supports Passage of FY 2020 Education and Science Funding (6/19/2019)

On June 19, CGS joined the higher education community in a letter to House leadership in support of a Fiscal Year (FY) 2020 Appropriations package which includes strong funding levels for student aid, research, and workforce programs. The legislation passed the House later that day.

 

CGS Applauds Introduction of the Expanding Access to Graduate Education Act (6/20/2019)

On June 20, CGS sent a letter to Representatives Ann Kuster (D-NH), Fred Upton (R-MI), Kim Schrier (D-WA), Tim Burchett (R-TN), and Harley Rouda (D-CA) thinking them for introducing H.R. 3334 Expanding Access to Graduate Education Act. The bill would allow graduate students to allocate unused semesters of Pell Grant support towards their graduate degree. CGS has long advocated for this proposal.

 

CGS Joins Coalition Letter Supporting Legislation to Protect Federally-Funded Research (6/17/2019)

On June 17, CGS signed onto a coalition letter in support of the Securing American Science and Technology Act of 2019, which would create an interagency working group to evaluate current oversight of federally funded research and develop a policy framework to address security needs. The bill would also create a roundtable to encourage collaboration between the federal government and institutions of higher education around these issues, something the higher education community has been particularly supportive of in the past. 

 

Community Letter in Support of Dream and Promise Act (6/3/2019)

On June 3, CGS signed onto a higher education community letter in support of H.R. 6, the American Dream and Promise Act of 2019, which would provide permanent legal status and a pathway to citizenships to undocumented individuals who were brought to the U.S. as children, including those currently protected by the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program. The letter urges the House to pass the legislation.

 

Community Letter on FY 2020 International Education Funding (5/28/2019)

On May 28, CGS signed onto a Coalition for International Education letter to the leaders of the Senate Appropriations Labor-HHS-Education Subcommittee asking them to provide $106.1 million in funding for International Education and Foreign Language Studies, including $95.7 million for HEA-Title VI and $10.4 million for Fulbright-Hays programs, as part of their Fiscal Year (FY) 2020 spending bill.

 

Coalition Letter on Two-Year Budget Deal (5/17/2019)

On May 17, several science and research coalitions of which CGS is a member sent a letter to the President and Congressional leadership urging them to work together on a two-year bipartisan agreement to raise the discretionary spending caps. The letter stresses the critical need for federal investment in scientific research. 

 

CGS Supports Increases in FY 2020 Higher Education and Research Funding (5/10/2019)

On May 10, CGS sent a letter to leaders of the House Appropriations Committee commending passage of the Fiscal Year (FY) 2020 Labor-HHS-Education spending bill, which the committee reported out on May 8. The letter specifically supports increases to student financial aid, research, and workforce programs critical to graduate education and economic demands.

 

CGS Statement for the Record in House Education Hearing (5/9/2019)

On May 9, CGS submitted a statement for the record in a House Education and Labor Higher Education Subcommittee hearing titled, “The Cost of Non-Completion: Improving Student Outcomes in Higher Education." As a way to encourage completion of both an undergraduate and graduate degree, CGS urged the subcommittee to consider allowing individuals, who remain income-eligible, to utilize remaining semesters of Pell Grants towards a graduate degree.

 

Community Letter in Support of FY 2020 Higher Ed and Research Funding (5/7/2019)

On May 7, CGS signed onto a higher education community letter to leaders of the House Appropriations Committee thanking them for their work on the Fiscal Year (FY) 2020 Labor-HHS-Education spending bill. The measure provides increases in funding for several student financial assistance and research programs of importance to graduate education.

 

CGS Supports Funding Increase for Science and Research (5/2/2019)

On May 2, CGS submitted a letter supporting H.R. 2400, the American Innovation Act, introduced by Representative Bill Foster (D-IL). The legislation would increase the budget of five federal agencies conducting science and research—including the National Science Foundation (NSF) and the Department of Energy Office of Science—by five percent annually.

 

CGS Supports Bill to Increase Funding for Biomedical Research (5/2/2019)

On May 2, CGS sent a letter supporting H.R. 2401, the American Cures Act, introduced by Representative Lauren Underwood (D-IL). The bill would provide annual budget increases of five percent four federal biomedical research agencies, including the National Institutes of Health (NIH).

 

CGS Joins Higher Ed Community in Supporting of the Dream Act of 2019 (4/4/2019)

On April 4, CGS signed onto a higher education community letter in support of the recently reintroduced Dream Act, which would grant legal status and a path to citizenship to undocumented immigrants who were brought to the country as children including those currently protected by the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program. CGS has also supported this legislation when it was introduced in previous years. 

 

CGS Joins CNSF Letter Supporting a Two-Year Budget Deal (3/28/2019)

On March 28, CGS, as member of the Coalition for National Science Funding (CNSF), joined a letter to Congressional and Administration leaders urging them to enact a two-year bipartisan budget agreement that increases the spending caps for discretionary programs. Specifically, the letter calls out the need for a budget deal to avoid cuts to funding for the National Science Foundation (NSF) and the importance of sustained federal investment in the critical work done by the agency. 

 

CGS Statement for the Record in House Hearing (3/25/2019)

On March 25, CGS submitted a statement for the record in a House Education and Labor Committee hearing titled, “The Cost of College: Student Centered Reforms to Bring Higher Education Within Reach.” The testimony urges the committee to maintain and not place borrowing limits on the Grad PLUS loan program, voices support for a proposal allowing Pell to be used towards graduate studies and calls for enhancing other student aid and repayment programs.

 

Community Letter on Dream and Promise Act (3/20/2019)

On March 20, CGS signed onto community letter to Congressional leaders in support of H.R. 6, the Dream and Promise Act of 2019, which would provide a pathway to citizenship for undocumented immigrants who were brought to the United States as children, including those who are Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) recipients.

 

Coalition Calls for Increased FY 2020 Funding for Student Aid Programs (3/18/2019)

On March 18, the Student Aid Alliance, of which CGS is a member, sent a letter to the leaders of the House and Senate Appropriations Labor, HHS, and Education Subcommittees urging them to continue and strengthen funding for student aid programs. The letter provides specific Fiscal Year (FY) 2020 funding level requests, including increases to the Graduate Assistance in Areas of National Need (GAANN) program, TRIO, and Pell Grants.

 

CGS Joins Coalition Letter on FY 2020 NSF Funding Request (3/14/2019)

On March 14, CGS joined its Coalition for National Science Funding (CNSF) colleagues on a letter to key House and Senate appropriators recommending a $9 billion Fiscal Year (FY) 2020 appropriation for the National Science Foundation (NSF). The letter stresses the need to increase funding for the work done by NSF, including for graduate STEM education, to maintain American global competitiveness in research and innovation.

 

CGS Joins Letter Thanking Congress for FY 2019 NSF Funding (2/25/2019)

On February 25, as a member of the Coalition for National Science Funding (CNSF), CGS joined a letter to Congressional leaders thanking them for passing a Fiscal Year (FY) 2019 spending package, which provides $8 billion in funding for the National Science Foundation (NSF).

 

CGS Offers Comments on Access and Financial Disparities (2/13/2019)

On Wednesday, February 13, CGS submitted comments in response to a solicitation from a group of senators around disparities faced by students of color when accessing and financing their postsecondary education. The letter underscores the need to continue to diversify graduate programs to address our changing population and the demands of the workforce, and reiterates CGS’s commitment to achieving this goal. Specifically, it highlights a proposal to allow graduate students who remain income-eligible to apply Pell Grants toward their graduate degree, as well as the need to support several current student aid programs that help students from underserved populations finance higher education.

 

Coalition Letter on Government Shutdown (1/23/2019)

On Wednesday, January 23, CGS joined a Coalition for National Science Funding letter to the President and Congressional leaders calling on them to end the partial government shutdown and fund the National Science Foundation (NSF). The letter voices concerns around the impact of the funding lapse on science and research conduct by NSF and other federal agencies. 

 

CGS Welcome Letter to 116th Congress (1/15/2019)

On January 15, CGS sent letters to members of the House and Senate welcoming them to the 116th Congress. The letters introduce CGS to new and returning Members, highlight our principals around policies of importance to graduate education, and urge policymakers to consider us a resource as these issues arise. 

These graduate education information slides were prepared for use in presentations to a wide variety of audiences, including campus administrators, co ...

Letters and statements from the 114th Congress

Letter to the Education Department on New Experimental Sites (07/19/2016)

The Council of Graduate Schools (CGS) sent a letter to the Department of Education (ED) offering suggestions for the agency to consider before ED unveils a pilot program that would let colleges and universities experiment with requiring additional loan counseling beyond what is already mandated by federal law. In the letter, CGS encouraged ED to consider the unique financial information needs of master’s and doctoral students when making awards to experimental sites.

 

Letter to House Education and the Workforce Committee Concerning H.R. 3179 (06/21/2016)

On June 21, CGS President Suzanne Ortega sent a letter to the House Committee on Education and the Workforce regarding H.R.3179, the Empowering Students Through Enhanced Financial Counseling Act. The letter emphasizes that while CGS appreciates the Committee’s interest in helping students and families make informed decisions regarding financing their education, policymakers should also consider the unique financial information needs of master’s and doctoral students, as have different financial needs and circumstances than those of undergraduates.

 

Comments Sent to CFPB on Student Loan Payback Playbooks (06/03/2016)

On June 3, CGS  submitted comments and feedback to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) regarding the agency’s Student Loan Payback Playbooks, a digital tool designed to assist borrowers better understand available repayment options for paying off student debt. CGS urged the Bureau to be mindful of the information needs of graduate borrowers, which may be different from those of undergraduate borrowers, and offered modifications to the tool to better serve graduate students.

 

Letter Sent to Treasury Department Supporting Financial Education (05/11/2016)

On May 11, CGS sent a letter to the U.S. Treasury Department in response to the agency’s feedback solicitation on its national strategy to promote financial success. The Financial Literary and Education Commission is updating the national strategy document, which was last updated in 2011. In the response, CGS highlighted the Enhancing Student Financial Education project and encouraged the Commission to consider graduate schools as a part of broader financial education infrastructure.

 

Response to Department of Education’s Comment Request on IPEDS Modifications (04/08/2016)

On April 8, CGS sent a letter in response to the Department of Education’s request for comments regarding changes to the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS). CGS encouraged the Department to disaggregate enrollment data of graduate students by degree objectives (e.g., master’s degree, doctor’s degree-research/scholarship, etc.). Having such data available would offer more meaningful insight into the state of graduate education in the U.S.

Community Letter to the Departments of Treasury, Labor and Health & Human Services (9/6/2016)

CGS joined six other higher education associations on a letter to the Departments of Treasury, Labor and Health & Human Services regarding graduate students SHIPs. The letter follows up on a letter sent earlier this summer by 17 senators.  It urges the departments to issue guidance that will allow universities to continue to provide subsidized health insurance coverage to graduate students.

 

Community Letter to Senator Richard Burr, R-NC (5/12/2016)

On May 12, the Council of Graduate Schools signed onto a community letter endorsing S. 2869, the Boost Savings for College Act, which would expand 529 education savings accounts by offering a saver’s tax credit for annual contributions by low- and moderate-income families. Specifically, the bill would provide tax credits of up to $1,000 for 529 plan contributions by an individual earning less than $30,750, and up to $2,000 for a couple earning less than $61,500. The proposal also would provide a tax credit for employers of up to $1,000 to cover matching contributions to a 529 plan for an employee or his spouse or child. The letter was sent to the bill’s sponsors, Senator Richard Burr (R-NC) and Senator Bob Casey (D-PA).

 

Community Letter to House and Senate Appropriations Committee (4/16/2016)
On April 16, CGS signed onto a community letter sent to both the House and Senate Appropriations Committees regarding Pell funding in the FY17 appropriations process. The letter expressed opposition to any effort to use funding taken from the Pell Grant Program for any other purpose in the FY 2017 education spending bill under consideration by the subcommittees.

 

Community Letter to Congress (3/21/2016)

On March 21, 2016 the Coalition for National Science Funding (CNSF), of which CGS is a member, sent a letter Congress recommending $8 billion for federal funding in Fiscal Year 2017 for the National Science Foundation (NSF). The letter also requests that Congress allow the NSF to support research across all science and engineering disciplines, to use its world-renowned peer review system to identify the best science, and to maintain flexibility to take advantage of unanticipated discoveries and insights.

 

Letter Sent to Senate Supporting America COMPETES Reauthorization (10/8/2015)

On October 8, 2015, CGS President Dr. Suzanne Ortega sent comments to the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation’s innovation and competitiveness working group offering suggestions on how the federal government can best build a STEM workforce. The working group is requesting stakeholder input as the Committee looks to reauthorize the America COMPETES law which is one of the federal government’s most critical investments in STEM education and innovation.

 

Letter in Support of America COMPETES Reauthorization (8/21/2015)

On August 21, 2015, CGS President Dr. Suzanne Ortega sent comments on current federal research and development (R&D) policy priorities to the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation’s innovation and competitiveness working group. The working group is requesting stakeholder input as the Committee looks to reauthorize the America COMPETES law which is one of the federal government’s most critical investments in STEM education and innovation. 

 

Comments to the Department of Education on Pay As You Earn (PAYE) Income-based Repayment Program (8/7/2015)

CGS submitted comments to the Department regarding the proposed changes to the Pay As You Earn (PAYE) income-based repayment program, referred to as Revised Pay As You Earn (REPAYE). As background, the negotiated rulemaking panel reached consensus in April on REPAYE and the public comment period closed on August 10, 2015. CGS expressed concerns that the final proposal may result in increasing the debt burden of graduate student borrowers, not based on any factor other than pursuit of an advanced degree. This is yet another example of a policy that creates an artificial distinction between undergraduate and graduate students, and has the potential to increase graduate student debt. CGS comments submitted were based on CGS’ original concerns when the rule was first proposed.

 

Response to Senate HELP Committee Hearing, Reauthorizing the Higher Education Act: The Role of Consumer Information in College Choice (5/12/2015)

On May 12, CGS President Dr. Suzanne Ortega sent a letter to the Senate HELP Committee calling to their attention the CGS developed online resource, GradSense.org. During a hearing on this issue, the need for a debt-to-income tool similar to GradSense.org was mentioned.

 

Response to Senate HELP Committee Chairman Lamar Alexander’s HEA Whitepapers (4/29/2015)

On April 29, 2015, CGS President Dr. Suzanne Ortega sent comments to the Committee in response to the whitepaper titled, Risk Sharing: Concepts and Proposals. CGS called for focusing on incentives to implement best practices, rather than on penalties.  

 

Welcome Letter to 114th Congress (1/29/2015)

 

Community Letter to House & Senate in Support of Perkins Loan Program (11/20/2015)

On November 20, CGS signed onto a community letter along with 53 higher education organizations and 535 institutions of higher education to Senate and House Leadership Offices, as well as the Appropriations Committees. The letter urged Congressional leaders to support a one-year extension of the Perkins Loan Program. The program, which makes low-cost loans available to college students with demonstrated financial need, is strongly supported across the full continuum of American higher education sectors.

 

Community Letter to Department of Homeland Security (11/18/2015)

On November 18, CGS, along with 11 education associations, signed onto a community letter to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) offering comments to the proposed regulation amending its F-1 nonimmigrant student visa regulations on optional practical training (OPT) for certain students with degrees in STEM fields from U.S. institutions of higher education.

 

Community Letter to House & Senate Appropriations Committees in Support of FY2016 Labor, HHS, and Education Appropriations Bill (11/16/2015)
On November 16, CGS signed onto a community letter to the House and Senate Appropriations Committees requesting that the Committees include higher education policy provisions within the FY2016 Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education Appropriations bills. The letter mentions that both Committees previously passed legislation which included language prohibiting the Department of Education from taking any further action in FY2016 on several regulatory efforts. The higher education community prefers that any action taken on these issues be done through the reauthorization of the Higher Education Act (HEA).

 

CGS Joins Amicus Brief on University of Texas-Austin's Case for Affirmative Action Admissions Practices (11/02/2015)
For the second time, the higher education community has filed an amicus brief supporting diversity in a landmark case before the Supreme Court of the United States.

 

Community Letter to Senate in Support of Perkins Loan Program (9/28/2015)

On September 28, CGS signed onto a community letter to the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions encouraging the Committee to consider legislation extending the Perkins Loans Program which is set to expire on October 1, 2015. The letter suggested the Committee put forward a bill similar to pending legislation in the House of Representatives that would extend the program’s authority for one year, which would provide policymakers additional time to evaluate student federal financial aid programs.

 

Community Letter to House in Support of Perkins Loan Program (9/28/2015)

On September 28, CGS signed onto a community letter to the House of Representatives in support of H.R. 3594, a measure that would extend the Perkins Loan Program authority for one year. The program is set to expire on October 1, 2015. Additionally, the legislation extends authority for the National Advisory Committee on Institutional Quality and Integrity (NACIQI) and the Student Financial Aid Advisory Committee.

 

Community Comment Letter to the Department of Labor (9/4/2015)

On September 4, CGS along with16 higher education organizations submitted comments to the Department of Labor in response to recent proposed changes to overtime pay requirements for certain "white collar" employees, including postdocs. The letter was led by the College and University Professional Association for Human Resources (CUPA-HR). CGS has concerns with the regulation, including whether postdocs would continue to be exempt employees under the new regulation.

 

Community Letter in Support of America COMPETES Reauthorization (8/12/2015)

On August 12, 2015 the Task Force on American Innovation (TFAI), of which CGS is a member, sent a letter to the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation’s innovation and competitiveness working group expressing support for federally funded research. The Senate working group requested stakeholder input as the Committee looks to reauthorize the America COMPETES law which is one of the federal government’s most critical investments in STEM education and innovation. 

 

Community Thank You Letter to Senate Finance Committee (7/22/2015)

CGS signed onto a community letter on July 22 to thank the Senate Finance Committee for including two year extensions of the above-the-line deduction for qualified tuition and related expenses (tuition deduction) and the Individual Retirement Account (IRA) Charitable Rollover in the final tax extenders package.

 

Community Letter in Support of Tax Extenders Package (7/17/2015)

CGS signed onto a community letter on July 17, encouraging policymakers to extend both the tuition deduction and IRA provisions which expired in 2014. A two year extension of the above-the-line tuition deduction would restore benefits to students and families, providing another tool to help reduce the cost of college. An extension of the IRA Charitable Rollover would provide colleges and universities with better predictability and a longer window of time to use this incentive to raise new or increased contributions at a time when private giving has becoming increasingly important to helping maintain access to higher education.

 

Community Letter to U.S. Congress Calling for Policies and Investments to Drive Innovation (7/16/2015)

CGS signed on to the community statement “Innovation: An American Imperative,” led by the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) and released June 23, 2015. The statement, which included signatures of over 250 industry, science, and higher education organizations, is a call to action urging Congress to enact policies that make investments to ensure that the United States remains a global innovation leader.

 

Community Letter to U.S. House Appropriations Committee in Support of FY2016 Labor, Health, Human Services, and Education Appropriations Bill (6/23/2015)

On June 23, 2015, CGS signed onto a community letter to the House of Representative’s Appropriations Committee offering support for the FY2016 Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education Appropriations bill for its emphasis on higher education. The letter was delivered prior to the full Appropriations Committee consideration of the bill on June 24, 2015. Community concerns with the bill are mentioned as well, including the $4 million decrease in funding for the Graduate Assistance in Areas of National Need (GAANN) program, one of the few remaining federal programs that assists graduate students. The letter requests the Committee increase funding for GAANN as budget negotiations continue.

 

Community Letter to U.S. Senate and House Appropriations Committees (5/19/2015)

On May 19, 2015 the Coalition for National Science Funding (CNSF), of which CGS is a member, sent a letter to the Senate and House appropriators expressing concern with the House FY2016 Commerce, Justice, Science Appropriations bill. The science community is concerned with the report language accompanying the bill which requires NSF to dedicate 70 percent of its funding to only four research directorates, forcing the agency to reduce over $250 million, 16 percent of the combined budget, from the remaining two directorates: Geosciences and the Social, Behavioral, and Economic Sciences. Such reductions would have a negative impact on the disciplinary and interdisciplinary research supported by these two directorates, impacting research as diverse as disaster prediction and recovery, prediction of extreme weather events, weak links in cybersecurity, children’s learning, and big data.

 

Community Letter to U.S. Senate Finance Committee, Working Group on Business Income Tax (4/15/2015)

On April 15, 2015 CGS joined a community letter lead by the National Association of College and University Business Officers (NACUBO) regarding the importance of the tax-exempt status of colleges and universities. Without this exemption, colleges and universities would be subject to taxes on gifts received.

 

Community Letter to U.S. House Committee on Education and the Workforce (2/23/2015)

On February 23, 2015 CGS joined a community letter that was sent to the U.S. House of Representatives in support of H.R. 970, Supporting Academic Freedom through Regulatory Relief Act. The legislation repeals three federal regulations that restrict choice and opportunity in higher education: the gainful employment regulation, the state authorization regulation, and the federal credit hour regulation. CGS heard from graduate deans that these three regulations could have a negative impact on the programs they offer.

 

Community Letter to Department of Education (2/2/2015)

On February 2, CGS along with 30 education associations, signed onto a community letter to the Department of Education offering comments to the proposed teacher preparation quality regulations. 

 

Letter to Sponsors of the Immigration Innovation Act of 2015 (1/22/2015)

On January 22, 2015 CGS joined a community letter organized by the American Council on Education and sent to the U.S. Senate in support of the Immigration Innovation Act of 2015 (“I-Squared bill”), recently introduced by Senator Orrin Hatch (R-UT). The legislation increases the H-1B cap for temporary work visas for programmers, engineers, and high-skilled workers. It also lifts the existing cap on the advanced degree exemption.

 

Selected letters, statements, and testimony from the 113th Congress

 

Response to Census Bureau's Comment Request on ACS 'Field of Study' Proposed Data Collection (12/15/2014)

On December 15, CGS sent written comments in response to the Census Bureau’s Proposed Information Collection; Comment Request; The American Community Survey Content Review Results. CGS urged the Department of Commerce to retain Person Question 12 (Undergraduate Field of Degree), where respondents are asked to provide specific major(s) of any bachelor’s degrees received by the person with the highest degree in each household.

 

Letter to Chairman Ryan (9/4/2014)
Response to discussion draft legislation titled "Expanding Opportunity in America" released by the House Budget Committee in July 2014.

 

The Council of Graduate Schools' comments on Senator Harkin's (D-IA) Higher Education Affordability Act discussion draft. (August 2014)

 

Testimony submitted by CGS for June 24, 2014 hearing of the Senate Committee on Finance (6/27/2014)

Information on graduate student finances, tuition remissions and waivers, student loan interest deductibiilty, and the Lifetime Learning Credit. Submitted for the Senate Committee on Finances' hearing, "Less Student Debt from the Start: What Role should the Tax System Play?”

 

Letter to Senator Alexander (6/12/2014)
Response to June 8, 2014 statement by the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee.

 

Letter to Chairman Harkin and Ranking Member Alexander (3/31/2014)
Response to the March 27, 2014 hearing, "Strengthening the Federal Student Loan Program for Borrowers," Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee.

 

CGS Statement on the 2014 State of the Union Address (1/31/2014)
The Council of Graduate Schools responds to the administration's higher education plans outlined in the annual address to the nation.

 

Welcome Letter to 113th Congress (1/22/2014)

 

CGS Comments on Policies and Amendments for Inclusion in the Reauthorization of the Higher Education Act (8/2/2013)

 

The Future of Graduate Education is the Future of America: A Call to Action (7/1/2013)
CGS developed a position statement amid debate on student loan interest rate policies in 2013. CGS continues working for a longer term solution that meets the needs of graduate student loan borrowers.

 

CGS Statement on the Supreme Court Ruling in Fisher v. UT Austin (6/26/2013)
The Council of Graduate Schools released the following statement in response to the ruling by the Supreme Court RE: Fisher v. UT Austin.

 

CGS Statement on the President's 2013 State of the Union Address (2/14/2013)
The Council of Graduate Schools responds to the administration's higher education plans outlined in the annual address to the nation.

 

Letter to Department of Commerce on ACS 'Field of Degree' Data Collection (12/16/2014)

On December 16th CGS signed onto a community letter in conjunction with twenty-five higher education associations in response to the Census Bureau’s Proposed Information Collection; Comment Request; The American Community Survey Content Review Results (FR Doc. 2014-25912). The letter urges the Census Bureau to retain Person Question No. 12 (Undergraduate Field of Degree) in the American Community Survey (ACS).

 

Community Letter to Senate-Labor-HHS Committee (11/24/2014)
On November 24, CGS signed onto a community letter to the Senate Labor-H subcommittee staff regarding Pell funding in the FY15 appropriations process. The letter expressed opposition to any effort to use funding taken from the Pell Grant Program for any other purpose in the FY 2015 education spending bill under consideration by the subcommittee.

 

TFAI Letter to Congress on FY15 Appropriations (11/17/2014)
On November 17, CGS signed onto a community letter along with 132 national organizations, requesting Congress pass a full-year FY15 omnibus appropriations bill with strong funding for research and higher education to help close the innovation deficit.

 

Selected letters and statements from the 112th Congress

 

Office of Personnel Management Pathways Programs: Request for Comments (10/4/11)
CGS commented on the new Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Pathways Programs. The comments highlight the inclusion of graduate students and recent graduates in the Pathways programs.

 

Statement on S.365, the Budget Control Act of 2011 (8/3/11)

CGS issued a statement in response to the passage of the Budget Control Act of 2011 (S. 365). The statement highlights the added burden needy graduate and professional students will now face due to the elimination of the in-school interest subsidy on federal Stafford loans. CGS urges Congress and the Administration to recognize and support graduate education as a strategic national asset.

 

Statement on the proposed elimination of the in-school interest subsidy for graduate and professional students (7/28/11)
CGS and a number of other higher education stakeholders sent a statement to Congressional members highlighting the importance of retaining the in-school interest subsidy on federal Stafford loans for graduate and professional students. The subsidy's elimination is included in the debt ceiling increase measures proposed by both House Speaker Boehner and Senate Majority Leader Reid. The statement urges Congress to retain the subsidy.

 

Letter to Deficit Reduction Group Members (6/22/11)
CGS continues to work with a coalition of organizations to urge retention of the in-school interest subsidy on federal Stafford loans for needy graduate and professional students. The coalition sent a letter to the six Congressional Members of the deficit reduction group led by Vice President Biden.

 

Letter to Senate HELP Committee and House Education and The Workforce Committee Leadership (6/13/11)
A coalition of organizations, of which CGS is a member, sent a letter to the leaders of the Senate Committee for Health, Education, Labor and Pensions and the leaders of the House Education and The Workforce Committee urging them to retain the in-school interest subsidy on Federal Stafford loans for graduate and professional students as they negotiate FY 2012 funding legislation.

 

Letter to Senate and House Leadership (4/14/11)
A coalition of organizations, of which CGS is a member, sent a letter to House and Senate leaders urging them to retain the in-school interest subsidy on Federal Stafford loans for graduate and professional students as they negotiate FY 2011 and FY 2012 funding legislation.

 

Letter to Senate and House Leaders re. Fiscal Year 2011 Appropriations (2/24/11)
CGS sent a letter to House and Senate leaders urging them to consider the important federal role in supporting graduate education as they work to complete final Fiscal Year 2011 appropriations legislation.

 

Statement on the Reauthorization of H.R. 5116, the “America COMPETES Act” (1/12/11)
CGS issued a statement applauding Congress and the President for their work in reauthorizing the America COMPETES Act. The bill, which contains several provisions that recognize the role that graduate education plays in our nation's ability to maintain a highly-skilled workforce, was signed into law on January 4, 2011.

 

Selected letters and statements from the 111th Congress

 

Letter to House Leadership re. America COMPETES Act Reauthorization (12/20/10)
CGS sent a letter to House leadership urging support for passage of the America COMPETES bill this week. The Senate passed an amended version of the bill last week.

 

Letter from the Higher Education Community re. Gainful Employment (9/9/10)
Letter from the higher education community responding to Dept. of Education's 7-26-10 set of proposed rules on "gainful employment" provisions.

 

Joint CGS-ETS Statement on Administration Goal re. College Completion (8/11/10)
CGS issued a joint statement with ETS applauding President Obama's call for the U.S. to have the highest proportion of college graduates by 2020, noting that pursuing this goal would greatly increase the number of Americans on a potential pathway to graduate school.

 

Letter from the Higher Education Community re. Program Integrity (8/2/10)
Letter from the higher education community responding to Dept. of Education's proposed rules on "program integrity" issues.

 

Office of Science and Technology Policy Grand Challenges of the 21st Century: Request for Information (4/13/10)
Response to the Office of Science and Technology Policy's Request for Information on responding to "grand challenges" of the 21st century.

 

Letter from the Higher Education Community re. Budget Reconciliation Bill (3/19/10)
Letter from the higher education community expressing support for the higher education provisions in the budget reconciliation bill under House consideration.

 

Letter from the Higher Education Community re. Income-Based Repayment (2/24/10)
Letter from the higher education community expressing support for the Administration's proposal to expand the Income-Based Repayment option for student loans.

 

CGS Statement on the President’s Fiscal Year 2011 budget proposal (2/4/10)
Statement on the President's Fiscal Year 2011 budget proposal.

 

Letter to House Education & Labor Committee Leadership re. Stafford Loan Subsidy (7/16/09)
Letter to leadership of House Education & Labor Committee, expressing concern about a legislative proposal to eliminate subsidized federal loans for graduate students.

 

Letter to Members of Congress re. National Academies Study (6/25/09)
Letter to four Members of Congress thanking them for requesting the National Academies undertake a study of research universities.

 

Letter to Senate Energy & Water Appropriators re. Re-ENERGYSE program (6/24/09)
Letter to Senate Appropriations Energy and Water Development Subcommittee leaders urging them to provide Fiscal Year 2010 funding for the Deparment of Energy's proposed Re-ENERGYSE program. A similar letter was sent to the House.

 

Letter from Higher Education Community re. MSIs (6/19/09)
CGS signed onto a letter from the higher education community requesting continued funding for federal programs that support Minority-Serving Institutions. Letters were sent to Senate and House education and appropriations committee leadership.

 

Statement from Higher Education Community re. Visa concerns (6/10/09)
CGS was a signatory of a statement from the higher education, scientific, and medical communities on "Visa Problems Harming America’s Scientific, Economic, and Security Interests."

 

Letter to Senate and House Appropriators re. McNair Program funding (5/29/09)
Letter to Senate and House Appropriations LHHS Subcommittees urging them to increase Fiscal Year 2010 funding for the McNair Postbaccalaureate Achievement Program.

 

Letter to Appropriators re. FY 10 GAANN and Javits funding (5/19/09)
Letter to Senate and House Appropriations leaders urging them to increase Fiscal Year 2010 funding for the GAANN and Javits Fellowships programs.

 

Responsible and Ethical Conduct of Research Requirement: Request for Comment (3/31/09)
Comments submitted to the National Science Foundation on its new Responsible and Ethical Conduct of Research requirement for graduate students and postdoctoral fellows supported by NSF grants.

 

Letter from stakeholders re. Roosevelt Scholars Act (2/18/09)
CGS signed onto a letter supporting the reintroduction of the Roosevelt Scholars Act, which would create scholarships for graduate students who commit to working for the federal government.

 

Letter to House and Senate conferees re. American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (2/11/09)
Letter to House and Senate conferees on the economic recovery legislation, the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.

Dear Members of the 113th Congress:

 

As you return for the second session of the 113th Congress, you will be considering a number of issues that are key to the future of American job growth, innovation and productivity. To meet these priorities, the U.S. will need to recognize the critical role of graduate education in producing the highly skilled individuals that fule innovation and top-level research activities. The U.S. cannot afford to lose its place as a producer of, and magnet for, top talent in today's global economy, especially as many countries compete to attract master's and doctoral degree holders.

 

The Council of Graduate Schools (CGS) represents over 500 universities and is the only national organization dedicated solely to the advancement of graduate education and research. CGS member institutions award more than 92 percent of all U.S. doctorates and nearly 80 percent of all U.S. master's degrees. The nation's graduate schools are the epicenters of discovery, innovation, and application, leading to advancements that affect every American. Every day graduate school faculty and students are conducting leading-edge research, creating and sharing knowledge, and teaching the next generation of our leaders, scholars, scientists, and professionals.

 

Among the many issues that may receive congressional consideration this year are the reauthorizations of the Higher Education Act (HEA) and America COMPETES, along with immigration reform. Each of these has implications for graduate students and graduate education. I urge you to consider the following issues:

 

• With respect to federal student loans, talented Americans must not be disadvantaged for pursuing graduate study. Because of recent congressional actions, graduate students are paying more for their student loans, a disparity that has been particularly hard-hitting for underrepresented minorities and master's degree students.
• With respect to America COMPETES, graduate students at all levels need broader career options and pathways to jobs in government, non-profit organizations and businesses. Six recent reports on graduate education reform support this goal and form the basis for suggested changes to the Twenty-First Century Graduate Education section in current law.
• Immigration reform is critical to ensuring that the U.S. can continue to attract top talent. Our economy would greatly benefit from allowing international students who have received advanced degrees in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) disciplines to earn green cards and work in jobs related to their fields of study.

 

Please take into account the needs of those obtaining master's degrees and doctoral degrees and the programs that support them as you work on legislation this year. Our research, data and best practices reports can be a resource for you as issues related to graduate education and research are considered over the coming months.

 

I would welcome an opportunity to discuss these and other issues affecting graduate education with you and your staff. Please do not hesitate to contact us at (202) 223-3791, we we look forward to working with you on these important issues.

 

Sincerely,

Debra W. Stewart

Testimony submitted by CGS for June 24, 2014 hearing of the Senate Committee on Finance (6/27/2014)

Information on graduate student finances, tuition remissions and waivers, student loan interest deductibiilty, and the Lifetime Learning Credit. Submitted for the Senate Committee on Finances' hearing, "Less Student Debt from the Start: What Role should the Tax System Play?”

 

 

Tax Reform

• CGS Tax Reform Scenarios
• Policy Related Facts: Tuition and Fees

 

Student Financial Assistance & Student Debt

• Master's Degree Requirements and the U.S. Workforce
• Important Differences Among Master's, Doctoral and Professional Degree Recipients
• Grad PLUS Loan Information
• Graduate Debt Fact Sheet
• Understanding Graduate Student Debt
• Graduate Debt Q&A (login required)

General Advocacy Tools (login required)
Materials members can customize to develop basic advocacy strategies.

 

Issue Briefs
More information regarding CGS positions on public policy issues relevant to graduate education and research.

 

State Snapshots: Select Data on Graduate Education
Fact sheets with state-specific data that can be used to talk with policymakers and constituents about the scope and impact of graduate education in each state.

 

Making the Case For...
These are CGS resource materials that are used in meetings with policy makers. The information can be used to develop talking points that include specific campus-based examples for stakeholder meetings.

 

Presentation Slides on Graduate Education Statistics (login required)
Slides that contain information on graduate education prepared for use in presentations to a wide variety of audiences.