Higher Education and the Tax System

A Tax Policy Center Forum
May 23, 2007 from 12:30 - 2:00 pm
Brookings Institution - 1775 Massachusetts Avenue , NW, Washington, DC
First Floor, Saul/Zilka Conference Rooms

Rising college tuition costs are a major concern for U.S. families. A complex system of tax credits, grants, and loans helps some families meet college costs, but these programs are inadequate for many needy students. Congress is considering a range of proposals to simplify and expand student aid programs that may make the system work better for low-income families.

In this forum we ask:

• Who benefits from current tax credits for higher education? Should and can they be retargeted?
• Can the student aid system be simplified and made more effective?
• Are there ways to assist students who leave college with very large loans?

Listen to the audio recording

Speakers

Sandy Baum
Senior Policy Analyst, College Board and Professor of Economics at Skidmore College

Susan Dynarski
Associate Professor, Harvard University, Kennedy School of Government

J.D. LaRock
Senior Education Advisor to Senator Edward M. Kennedy, U.S. Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions

Elaine Maag
Research Associate, The Urban Institute and Tax Policy Center

Lois Rice, Moderator
Guest Scholar, Brookings Institution and former Vice President of The College Board

Lunch will be provided from 12:00 - 12:30.
Please register online. Direct questions to Julianna Koch at jkoch@ui.urban.org or call 202-261-5538.