Photo: Gretchen Ertl 

As an advocate for people struggling to repay their college loans, Claudio Martinez followed every step of the process that culminated with President Joe Biden's student loan relief plan. 

But there was one thing Martinez didn’t hear during the lead-up to Biden’s decision: any discussion of responsibility on the part of colleges for the poor return that many borrowers got for their investment.

Illustration: LA Johnson

College affordability is at the forefront of higher education conversations these days, especially with the Biden administration's student debt release initiative. 

Pell Grants help make the dream of college possible for low-income students. Over the past 50 years, more than 80 million people have used Pell Grants to pay for their higher education expenses. And they exist, in large part, because of the efforts of one Black woman who often goes unmentioned: Lois Dickson Rice.

Even as many colleges try to recreate some version of a pre-pandemic environment on campus, they’re also navigating a host of other issues. This fall, they’re grappling with student-housing shortages, facing questions about abortion rights, and struggling to support students who can’t afford their basic needs.

A new analysis offers a snapshot of the promise and unexpected challenges of this academic year.