Whereas, Every student should be afforded every opportunity to graduate from high school while being adequately prepared for and encouraged to pursue postsecondary education, which includes vocational education; and

Whereas, Postsecondary education substantially increases one’s long-term earnings potential, lowers incarceration rates, and benefits society as a whole through lessening the burden on social safety net programs; and

Whereas, The cost of a postsecondary education is often prohibitive for many, and the availability of non-loan student aid has not kept pace with the need in the face of increased enrollment and tuition, fees, and expenses; and

Whereas, Evidence suggests that simplifying the process of applying for financial aid would increase access to postsecondary education, especially for first-generation college students; and

Whereas, Every student that has graduated from a U.S. high school should have the right, regardless of their learning styles or financial means, to attend a postsecondary institution, providing an economically, culturally, and ethnically diverse student population and a richer education experience for all students; therefore be it

Resolved, That National PTA supports legislation and programs intended to increase postsecondary participation through assisting students’ secondary school completion and postsecondary enrollment by providing academic (which includes fine arts) services, parent and student counseling services, and college preparatory services, particularly those programs that will assist students with different learning styles, low-income students, and disadvantaged youth; and be it further

Resolved, That National PTA supports legislation and programs that foster an economically, culturally, and ethnically diverse student population by increasing federal grants to students and other forms of financial aid, simplifying the application process for applying for all forms of aid, improving and increasing access to information on financial assistance for postsecondary education, and expanding access to in-state tuition levels.