Our country has 40.4 million Americans with some college and no credentials (SCNC).
But where did higher education go wrong for these Americans and what are the reasons they have to leave? There are #40MillionReasons why non-student-centric policies have prevented students from completing their chosen programs of study.
Join #40MillionReasons, and together, we can tell the true story.
bit.ly/40MillionReasons
Campaign
40 Million Reasons
Description
The #40MillionReasons digital storytelling campaign reveals the untold stories of 40.4 million Americans with some college and no credentials. The campaign aims to uncover the life events or reasons that have caused more than 40 million Americans – about 15% of the country’s population – to leave higher education. By telling stories with social impact, we can shine a light on the policies that create real-life barriers and prevent tens-of-millions of Americans from achieving their educational goals. Higher Learning Advocates created #40MillionReasons as part of our Widen the Path initiative to bridge the divide between higher education and work through federal policy change.
This tool kit is designed for you to share with your network. We are actively partnering with advocacy groups, higher learning institutions, media organizations, influencers, and students to elevate the voices of the 40 million Americans (almost 1 in 6) who started college but couldn’t finish, demonstrating the urgent need for student-centric federal policy change.
Not seeing what you're looking for? Check back for more content throughout the campaign or reach out to us at info@higherlearningadvocates.org.
Timeline
June 12 - August 4: ABOUT the 40 Million + TO the 40 Million • June 26-July 7: Short-term Pell • July 10-21: Satisfactory Academic Progress • July 24-28: Credit for Prior Learning • July 31 - August 4: Campaign Wrap
- About the 40 Million
- To the 40 Million
- Short-term Pell
- Satisfactory Academic Progress
- Credit for Prior Learning
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Join Us
Our country has 40.4 million Americans with some college and no credentials (SCNC).
But where did higher education go wrong for these Americans, and what are the reasons they had to leave? They are the #40MillionReasons why non-student-centric policies and extenuating life circumstances have prevented students from continuing or returning to school and completing their chosen programs of study.
Every untold story has a valid reason for an interrupted education – and an opportunity for a path forward to a degree or credential.
Join #40MillionReasons, and together, we can tell the true story. Link in bio.
(Put this URL in your Instagram bio: bit.ly/40MillionReasons)Specific Time or DurationJune 12 - August 4
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Widen the Path
More than 40 million Americans – about 15% of the country’s population – have attempted college but not yet attained a degree or certificate. That’s almost 1 in 6 people with some college and no credentials.
Nearly everyone knows someone—a friend, relative, or co-worker—who dropped out of college and the real reasons why. That’s #40MillionReasons to help us Widen the Path.
Link in bio.
(Put this URL in your Instagram bio: bit.ly/40MillionReasons)Specific Time or DurationJune 12 - August 4
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The Real Reasons
For far too long, there has been a stigma attached to people with some college and no credentials. However, the 40 million Americans of this population haven’t failed; the system failed them. The problem isn’t the people and the reasons they had to interrupt their education; it’s the policies. And they’re the stories we have yet to hear.
Help end the stigma and transform higher education.
Learn more about the real #40MillionReasons why college went wrong for these Americans and how policy change can give all Americans a future in higher education.
(Put this URL in your Instagram bio: bit.ly/40MillionReasons)Specific Time or DurationJune 12 - August 4
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#40MillionReasons
Did you drop out of college? Well, you're not alone. In fact, you’re 1 of more than 40 million Americans who have attended college and left without a degree or credential.
The real failure is the system – not you. And, the majority of former students like you want another chance.
The reason you left college can help us work with Congress and ultimately become one of the #40MillionReasons to Widen the Path.
(Put this URL in your Instagram bio: https://bit.ly/TheRealReasons)Specific Time or DurationJune 12 - August 4
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Your Reason
Did you drop out of college?
Today’s students need the flexibility to enter in and out of learning while working, raising families, and changing careers. Unfortunately, federal policy hasn’t recognized the reasons why more than 40 million Americans – about 15% of the country’s population – left college.
But your reason can help us uncover the #40MillionReasons to create change.
(Put this URL in your Instagram bio: https://bit.ly/TheRealReasons)Specific Time or DurationJune 12 - August 4
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Reasons for Change
Did you drop out of college?
Like you or someone you know, more than 40 million Americans - about 15% of the country’s population – have attempted college, but remain without a degree.
Was it a financial burden or a basic needs insecurity like food and housing? Reliable child care or public transportation? Competing priorities? Family obligations? Did the pandemic impact your ability to go to school?
Every reason can contribute to change. Yours is 1 of #40MillionReasons to Widen the Path.
Share this form with someone you know or share your own story of where higher education went wrong for you and the reason you had to leave.
(Put this URL in your Instagram bio: https://bit.ly/TheRealReasons)Specific Time or DurationJune 12 - August 4
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Widen the Path for Short-term Pell
How do we #WidenThePath for the #40Million Americans with some college but no credential? Short-term Pell (STP) Grants for short-term credential programs get learners a credential quickly and back into the workforce.
#40MillionReasons to Widen the Path between learning and the workforce.
(Put this URL in your Instagram bio: bit.ly/40MillionReasons)Specific Time or DurationJune 26 - July 7
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Short-term Pell Pathway
Americans today have multiple pathways to extend their learning beyond high school and increase their earnings potential. High-quality short-term credential programs, funded by short-term Pell Grants, are one of them.
Learn more about our #40MillionReasons campaign to create opportunity for the 40 million Americans with some college but no degree at the link in our bio.
(Put this URL in your Instagram bio: bit.ly/40MillionReasons)Specific Time or DurationJune 26 - July 7
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Short-term Pell Removes Barriers
In #HigherEd, time is a barrier to degree and credential program completion. Short-term Pell Grants help students earn a credential quickly enough to get back into the workforce. This is how we #WidenThePath.
Learn more about our #40MillionReasons campaign to create opportunity for the 40 million Americans with some college but no degree at the link in our bio.
(Put this URL in your Instagram bio: bit.ly/40MillionReasons)Specific Time or DurationJune 26 - July 7
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SAP Reset
A Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) reset can help returning adult students who have faced challenges that affected their academic performance, such as securing affordable child care, job loss, & financial duress.
Learn more about #40MillionReasons, a campaign to #WidenThePath for the 40 million Americans with some college but no credentials at the link in our bio.
(Put this URL in your Instagram bio: bit.ly/40MillionReasons)Specific Time or DurationJuly 10 - July 21
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#SAPsticks
The Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) requirement served a purpose when it was created 47 years ago. Today, it disrupts critical access to financial aid for many of the #40Million adults with some college but no credentials.
A SAP reset can change this reality. Learn more about SAP and @HigherLearnADV’s #40MillionReasons campaign at the link in our bio.
(Put this URL in your Instagram bio: bit.ly/40MillionReasons)Specific Time or DurationJuly 10 - July 21
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SAP Reform
How do we #WidenThePath and create opportunity for the #40Million Americans with some college and no credentials?
Learn more about Satisfactory Academic Progress barriers and reform via @HigherLearnADV’s #40MillionReasons campaign at the link in our bio.
(Put this URL in your Instagram bio: bit.ly/40MillionReasons)Specific Time or DurationJuly 10 - July 21
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CPL Saves Time + Money
Credit for prior learning (CPL) is learning that takes place outside the classroom and makes returning to college more accessible + affordable, especially for the #40Million adults with some college, no credential.
Learn more about CPL via @HigherLearnADV’s #40MillionReasons campaign at the link in our bio.
(Put this URL in your Instagram bio: bit.ly/40MillionReasons)Specific Time or DurationJuly 24 - 28
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Equity in Higher Ed
Credit for prior learning (CPL) helps marginalized students succeed. Receiving CPL increases the likelihood of credential completion for adults at community colleges, Hispanic students, Black students, and Pell Grant recipients.
Learn more about CPL via @HigherLearnADV’s #40MillionReasons campaign at the link in our bio.
(Put this URL in your Instagram bio: bit.ly/40MillionReasons)Specific Time or DurationJuly 24 - 28
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CPL Creates Opportunity
Adults who earn credit for prior learning (CPL) are 17% more likely to graduate than adults who do not. CPL gives the #40Million Americans with some college, no credential a real opportunity to complete college.
Learn more about CPL via @HigherLearnADV’s #40MillionReasons campaign at the link in our bio.
(Put this URL in your Instagram bio: bit.ly/40MillionReasons)Specific Time or DurationJuly 24 - 28
Additional Facebook graphic - CPL
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