Writing
Recent Analysis
-
The $15 Billion Question: What Happens When Grad PLUS Disappears?
On July 1, 2026, federal Grad PLUS loans disappear, replaced by hard annual caps on direct loans. We analyzed two federal data sources to map where the $15 billion was going, who loses access, and how large the gaps will be.
-
Which Programs Don't Pay Off? Inside the 2026 Federal Earnings Test Data
The Department of Education's 2026 Program Performance Data identifies 2,880 college programs whose graduates earn less than the regional benchmark for high school grads. Here's where they are, what they teach, and what the data leaves out.
-
How the New Federal Earnings Test for Colleges Works
The One Big Beautiful Bill Act created a new accountability rule that compares program graduates' earnings to a regional benchmark. Here's how the test actually operates, what triggers sanctions, and when they bite.