Higher Education Act of 1965 (HEA)

Overview

The Higher Education Act of 1965 (HEA) is landmark federal legislation designed to expand access to postsecondary education and strengthen U.S. colleges and universities. It created major federal student-aid programs, supported teaching and library resources, and funded initiatives to help low‑income and first‑generation students pursue higher education.

Key takeaways

• HEA established Pell Grants, federal student loans, work‑study, and programs like TRIO and the National Teacher Corps.
• Title IV is the portion that authorizes student financial aid (grants, loans, work‑study).
• The law has been reauthorized and amended multiple times but has operated on temporary extensions since it lapsed at the end of 2013.
• HEA remains central to U.S. college affordability policy and supports millions of students each year.

History and purpose

Passed as part of the Great Society agenda, the HEA aimed to:
* Increase college access for low‑ and middle‑income students.
Provide financial support to struggling small colleges.
Improve academic resources such as libraries and teacher training.

The act has been reauthorized periodically, with additional programs and amendments added over time. While formal reauthorization stalled after 2013, its core programs have continued under temporary extensions.

Major titles and programs

The HEA is divided into titles addressing different aspects of higher education. Key ones include:

• Title I — Funding for extension and continuing education programs.
• Title II — Grants for recruiting, preparing, and training teachers.
• Title III — Strengthening developing institutions (e.g., minority‑serving colleges).
• Title IV — Federal student financial assistance (grants, loans, work‑study).
• Title V and VI — Initiatives to improve teaching and undergraduate instruction.
• Title VII and VIII — Graduate education and other postsecondary topics.

Federal student aid under HEA

HEA created the framework for most federal postsecondary student aid:

Pell Grants
* Need‑based grants for undergraduates that do not require repayment.
* Award amounts depend on financial need, cost of attendance, and enrollment status (full‑ or part‑time). The maximum award is set by statute.

Federal Direct Loans
* Subsidized Direct Loans — For undergraduates with demonstrated financial need. The government pays interest while the borrower is enrolled at least half‑time and for a short grace period after leaving school.
* Unsubsidized Direct Loans — Available to undergraduates and graduate students regardless of need; borrowers are responsible for all interest.

Note: The term “Stafford loans” is still commonly used but has been superseded by loans made under the William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan Program. Loans under the older FFEL program ended in 2010.

Work‑Study and Other Aid
* Federal work‑study provides part‑time jobs for students with financial need.
* HEA also funds campus-based programs, teacher training, library improvements, and institutional development grants.

Programs for underrepresented and disadvantaged students

• TRIO — A set of outreach and services programs (e.g., Upward Bound) to help low‑income, first‑generation, and disabled students succeed in postsecondary education.
• National Teacher Corps — Historically created to attract teachers to underserved schools and strengthen teacher preparation.

Reauthorization and current status

• HEA was reauthorized repeatedly through 2008 and later; formal reauthorization has not been completed since the law technically expired at the end of 2013.
• Congressional debates have considered simplifying federal student aid applications and increasing Pell Grant maximums, among other reforms. Temporary extensions have allowed programs to continue while negotiations persist.

Scale and impact

• Millions of Americans have benefited from HEA programs. For example, a significant share of undergraduates receive Pell Grants to help pay for college.
• Federal student debt and loan portfolios have grown substantially over time, reflecting the system’s scale and ongoing policy debates about affordability.

Frequently asked questions

What is Title IV?
* Title IV of the HEA authorizes federal scholarships, low‑interest loans, and work‑study programs administered to students at eligible institutions. It is the primary legal authority for federal student financial aid.

What does “higher education” include?
* Postsecondary education includes colleges, universities, professional schools, and technical or vocational institutions that award degrees, diplomas, or certificates beyond the high‑school level.

What is a Title I school under the HEA?
* In the HEA context, a Title I school is a postsecondary institution approved to receive direct federal assistance to improve programs, libraries, or to accept students whose tuition is subsidized under HEA programs. (This is distinct from K–12 Title I programs under other statutes.)

Conclusion

The Higher Education Act of 1965 established the federal role in making postsecondary education more accessible and affordable. Its grant, loan, and support programs remain central to U.S. higher education policy, even as Congress continues to consider updates and reforms to address evolving needs and costs.