On June 24, 2014, the Consortium for Higher Education Tax Reform held a panel event, and released a white paper, addressing how federal higher education tax benefits can work better for students and families. The event was held at the New America Foundation in Washington, D.C. Consortium partners include the Center for Postsecondary and Economic Success at CLASP, the Education Trust, New America’s Education Policy Program, and Young Invincibles. The Consortium identified strengths and weaknesses in federal higher education tax policy and providing recommendations for redesign and reform through the release of Higher Education Tax Reform: A Shared Agenda for Increasing College Affordability, Access, and Success. Four additional issue briefs written by each of the consortium’s members address in greater depth four specific aspect of policy recommendations in the Shared Agenda:

• Building an AOTC Movement: Strengthening Outreach for a Reformed American Opportunity Tax Credit
  Steve Burd & Rachel Fishman, New America
   
• Help When It’s Needed: Advancing the AOTC
  Steve Holt, CLASP
   
• Tough Love: Getting All of Our Colleges Over Bottom Line Quality Standards
  Michael Dannenberg & Mary Nguyen Barry, The Education Trust
   
• Tax-Exempt Borrowing at Postsecondary Institutions: How Reforming Tax-Exempt Bonds Can Improve Student Outcomes and Save the Government Money
  Rory O’Sullivan & Portia Boone, Young Invincibles

The Consortium for Higher Education Tax Reform is a partnership of four organizations concerned with college affordability, access, and completion for low- and modest-income individuals. The Consortium is funded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation as part of its Reimagining Aid Design and Delivery initiative.