Aspen is a place for leaders to lift their sights above the possessions which possess them. To confront their own nature as human beings, to regain control over their own humanity by becoming more self-aware, more self-correcting, and hence more self-fulfilling.

Walter P. Paepcke, Aspen Institute Co-Founder
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college affordability

The Federal Government Should Cancel at Least $30,000 of Your Student Loans. Here’s Why.

The move would help 43 million people focus on their futures, and put us on track to pursue an equitable economic recovery.

Stressed student in mask

Candidates, Listen To Families: Three Recommendations from a Parent

Policymakers need to engage with the families whose lives are affected by their decisions.

A family standing in a field at sunset.

Worse Off Than When They Enrolled: The Consequence of For-Profit Colleges for People of Color

Fifty percent of students who enroll in a for-profit college default on their student loans, resulting in a population that is financially worse off than when they first enrolled and disproportionately impacts people of color.

frustrated student

New York’s Free-Tuition Law Redefines the Idea of Universal College Access

It sets the stage for a national conversation.

Announcing the 2017 Aspen Prize for Community College Excellence Finalists

Congratulations to the 2017 Aspen Prize Community College Excellence Finalists!

The Presidential Election: Who Pays for and Benefits from College Education?

College affordability has emerged as a core issue of the 2016 election campaign.

How to Simplify the Scholarship Application Process

A radically simple idea to help more students find scholarship dollars is the creation of an accessible, multilingual, searchable database of scholarships and how to win them. The Department of Education should lead on this empowering initiative.

3 Reasons to Support Free Community College

Here are three reasons why Obama’s proposed program could be a game changer in providing access to higher education.