This spring, colleges and universities will have more than $25 billion in emergency aid to distribute to their students. But to decide who gets it, they should not rely on information from the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). While using the FAFSA might seem to be the most expedient approach, it is likely neither the most equitable nor the most impactful.

In this opinion piece, Sara Goldrick-Rab says it is time for higher education leaders to embrace the freedom that Congress afforded and rethink how they assess need and get money to students.

For all the time colleges spend on admissions, the reality is that lots of students do not stay where they first enroll.

A new report offers six recommendations to help higher education leaders carry out more seamless and efficient transfer and award of credit on their campuses. The report comes at a time when college students are becoming more mobile, moving in and out as well as through multiple colleges and universities and other learning environments, such as military service or the workforce.