Higher Education
Promoting Accessibility, Affordability, and Employment Outcomes
Policy Principles
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Postsecondary attainment beyond a high school diploma—four-year degrees, two-year degrees, technical training, or apprenticeship—is needed for career success.
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Higher education must be accessible and affordable so students can successfully begin, persist, and complete their studies with minimal debt.
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College Credit Plus must be protected and expanded, with an emphasis on increasing equitable participation for underserved students.
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State funding should reward effectiveness and emphasize student completion and workforce outcomes.
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Postsecondary programs should be nimble and respond quickly to the needs of employers as the economy transforms because of AI and technological advances.
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Students must have access to strong supports that help them persist and graduate.
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Business partnerships should shape higher education programs and provide and work-based learning opportunities for students.
Advocacy Priorities
Funding Based on Workforce Outcomes
Expand the portion of the State Share of Instruction (SSI) directed by actual student workforce outcomes to reward higher education institutions for helping students advance in their career pathway.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) Plans
FAFSA Completion Supports
Restore the regional system of FAFSA supports established in previous budgets and increase its funding to help more students complete the new online FAFSA form. Ohio students leave approximately $120 million on the table each year.
Encourage the state to promote AI policies and best practices for public two-year and four-year institutions and career technical institutes.
