Higher Education Act (HEA, 1965)

1) Link to the Text of the Act
Read the statute (20 U.S.C. § 1001 et seq.)

2) Why It Was Done
The HEA was enacted as part of President Lyndon B. Johnson’s “Great Society” to strengthen U.S. colleges and universities and provide financial aid to make higher education more accessible.

3) Pre-existing Law or Constitutional Rights
Before HEA, there was no comprehensive federal framework for student aid. Federal education involvement was limited to land-grant colleges (Morrill Acts) and GI Bill benefits.

4) Overreach or Proper Role?
Supporters said it opened college doors for millions of Americans. Critics argue it fueled skyrocketing tuition by flooding higher ed with federal money and expanding student debt.

5) Who or What It Controls

• Colleges and universities (eligibility tied to compliance with federal rules)
• Students (access to Pell Grants, loans, work-study)
• Department of Education (administers aid programs)

6) Key Sections / Citations

• Title IV: Federal student aid (Pell Grants, student loans, work-study)
• Title II: Teacher preparation and training
• Title III: Strengthening minority-serving institutions
• Title VI: International education programs

7) Recent Changes or Live Controversies

• Reauthorized several times; last major reauthorization was 2008
• Current debates focus on student loan forgiveness, repayment reform, and accountability for colleges
• Calls for new reauthorization to address the student debt crisis

8) Official Sources

• Congress.gov – HEA 1965
• U.S. Department of Education – Federal Student Aid
• CRS Report – Higher Education Act Reauthorization

• Education
• College
• Student Loans
• Pell Grants
• Universities