The convergence of funding matters because it changes how support for higher ed flows into the system, Rebecca Thiess, associate manager at The Pew Charitable Trusts, told reporters during a call last week.
“We’re seeing more support directly to students via the federal government and less general funding for public institutions via the state,” she added.
Indeed, the federal government has expanded its aid programs over the last decade. Pell Grant spending, for example, climbed 71% from 2007 to 2017, leading to an additional $11.5 billion for the program.
