Laurie Arnston

Earning a college degree can be transformative. But for someone with a background in foster care, the potential is even more powerful. For this population, a college education can interrupt the intergenerational transmission of family violence, potentially changing the legacy for generations to come. Children and adolescents are placed in foster care when their family of origin is no longer able to ensure their safety and well-being.

When Congress passed the Working Families Tax Cuts bill last year, our goal was to establish a framework for student borrowing that recognized the need to lower the cost of skyrocketing college tuition, both for undergraduates and those in post-graduate programs. This framework further differentiates loan structures for professional students.

Higher education is a relationship-driven endeavor. But somewhere along the way, the work of building relationships became a series of transactions to be managed. From the time a student expresses interest in an institution, they start to form a relationship with it—one that can last a lifetime. Those of us who choose this work understand that every interaction—from a recruitment email to a donor call—is an opportunity to deepen trust and belonging.