Federal Policy Priorities

Lumina's statement of federal policy priorities

Proposal for protecting and empowering students and borrowers of color

A letter from Lumina's Federal Policy team in response to a request from U.S. Senators

Actions the federal government can take to address disparities in borrower outcomes and make higher education equitable for all.

Who is Today's Student?

Today’s student is struggling to navigate an outdated system

When thinking of typical college students, most of us envision 18- to-21- year-olds fresh out of high school taking classes full-time on a sprawling campus. That is no longer true: full-time, 18- to 21-year-old students now make up just a third of the college population. Today’s students represent a new reality.

Infographic: Today's Students

2-page infographic

Think You Know the Facts? Today's College Students Are:

• Balancing Multiple Responsibilities
• Older and More Racially Diverse
• Financially Support Themselves... And Often Struggle to Make Ends Meet
• Less Likely to Graduate

Focus Magazine, Winter 2018: Dream teams

Local collaboration key as cities work to realize a talent-building vision

The cities and towns boosting attainment among their residents are places that we at Lumina Foundation call Talent Hubs. This issue of Focus magazine takes an up-close look at 3 exemplary hubs that demonstrate strong local partnerships and an unwavering commitment to achieving racial and economic justice: Detroit, Elkhart County, Ind., and Mobile, Ala.

Lumina Fact Sheet

Lumina Foundation is an independent, private foundation committed to making opportunities for learning beyond high school available to all. We envision a system that is easy to navigate, delivers fair results, and meets the nation’s need for talent through a broad range of credentials. Our goal is to prepare people for informed citizenship and success in a global economy.

Focus Magazine, Fall 2018: Student aid ... remade

Committed colleges take a wraparound approach to ensure student success

Many colleges and universities are providing a support network that meets students’ individual, real-life needs, and doing it well. This issue of Focus magazine takes you to a few of those committed campuses aligning with the principles laid out in Beyond Financial Aid, a recently updated report that serves as a blueprint for institutions and systems dedicated to ensuring the success of students from low-income families.

Beyond Financial Aid

How colleges can strengthen the financial stability of low-income students and improve student outcomes

BFA is a compendium of best practices for assisting low-income students. It highlights good work that has been underway for years but hasn’t always been implemented at scale, especially within institutions that enroll significant numbers of low-income students.

Jamie Merisotis’ biography

Download a printer-friendly, 1-page version of Jamie Merisotis' biography.

Focus magazine, Spring 2018: Investing wisely

Exemplary employers reap real returns by developing workers’ talent

A growing number of America’s companies recognize the immense value inherent in the talent of their employees, they’re working actively and creatively to foster that talent.