Third Way Statement on the Postsecondary Student Success Act

WASHINGTON—Third Way released the following statement from Michelle Dimino, Director of Education:

“Today’s bicameral, bipartisan introduction of the Postsecondary Student Success Act is proof of powerful momentum to support students in getting not just to, but through college. Third Way applauds Senator Heinrich (D-NM) and Representatives Stansbury (D-NM) and Chavez-DeRemer (R-OR) for their leadership in tackling the completion crisis.

“The path from a student’s first day of college to the graduation stage is long and winding—so much so that colleges graduate just 6 of every 10 students they enroll. Getting more students across the finish line so they can reap all the benefits of a degree demands greater federal investment in student outcomes. Fortunately, we know a lot about what works to improve retention and completion rates, which is why Congress smartly created the Postsecondary Student Success Grant program in 2022 and increased its appropriations ninefold the following year.

“The Postsecondary Student Success Act will permanently authorize this grant program, providing needed stability and supercharging its capacity to benefit students and institutions by building the evidence base of effective interventions and supporting the implementation and scaling of innovative models that can improve retention and graduation rates nationwide.

“We are grateful to Senator Heinrich and Representatives Stansbury and Chavez-DeRemer for championing student success and college completion. Congress should recognize this bill as an opportunity for a commonsense, bipartisan win and move it forward into law.”