MHEC News October 2023
The latest policy and research, convenings, programs, contracts, articles of interest, and updates for members of the Midwestern Higher Education Compact.
October is another busy month of travel for some of our team as they convene stakeholders in our region and present at national conferences. Be sure to say hello and connect with us.
In this edition of MHEC News, read about:
- Policy and Research: Need-Based Grant Aid Decreased in Several Midwestern States
- Convenings: Upcoming webinars: CC Certificates; selecting a teletherapy vendor; and new licensure regulations
- Contracts: Next-Generation Higher Education ERP System of Systems; New contract with SAS
- Programs: SARA Territory Grants; NC-SARA board meeting; and NC-SARA welcome kits
- Commissioner Appointments: Kansas
Next month's newsletter will highlight our Annual Commission Meeting being held in Saint Paul, Minnesota, November 13-15. Commissioners will attend in person and virtually. All sessions will be recorded and made available after the meeting. Highlights include the latest on the FAFSA, artificial intelligence, and various challenges impacting higher education in the Midwest, including demographic changes and workforce.
As always, the Compact welcomes your feedback and suggestions.
Policy & Research
Need-Based Grant Aid Decreased in Several Midwestern States
The latest update to MHEC's Interactive Dashboard shows that need-based grant aid per full-time equivalent (FTE) undergraduate student increased between 2019-20 and 2020-21 in three midwestern states (Illinois, Nebraska, and South Dakota), but it decreased in the nine other midwestern states when accounting for inflation. However, average need-based grant aid in current dollars (not adjusted for inflation) increased in most midwestern states during the same period. In addition, the average need-based grant aid in Illinois, Indiana, and Minnesota remains higher than the regional and national averages. Notably, some Midwestern states have recently taken action to increase grant aid for college students, which is not yet reflected in the data. For example, a new need-based Freedom Scholarship program has been offered in South Dakota for qualified students since 2022-23.
Need-based grant aid includes all grant aid distributed through state programs that have financial need as a criterion for student eligibility. This indicator also includes aid awarded through hybrid programs that combine financial need and merit criteria, but funding through programs based solely on academic merit or other factors is excluded. Need-based grant aid programs generally define financial need in terms of a maximum income limit, an expected family contribution (EFC), or the difference between the EFC and the cost of attendance. Grant aid amounts include awards to undergraduate students attending any eligible postsecondary institution, including public, private not-for-profit, and private for-profit institutions. An overview of state grant-aid programs and policy options is available online.
MHEC's Interactive Dashboard provides additional ways to visualize this data using bar charts, line graphs, maps, and tables. Selected finance indicators are also available for MHEC states in the report Higher Education in Focus .
Source. National Association of State Student Grant and Aid Programs. (2020, 2021). Annual survey report on state-sponsored student financial aid. Estimates have been adjusted for inflation to 2021 dollars using the Consumer Price Index.
Convenings
WEBINAR
CC Certificate: Open Licensing Training Opportunities & New Alumni Network!
Wednesday, November 8 | 1:00 p.m. CT
MHEC will host the Creative Commons (CC) certificate team who will share an overview of the CC courses and debut the new alumni program, which will harness the network of more than 1,500 graduates in 65 countries. The team will also share ways to engage with the materials or get involved in smaller-scale training opportunities, for those seeking shorter time commitments!
WEBINAR
Critical Considerations Before Contracting with a Teletherapy Vendor
Thursday, November 9 | 10:00 a.m. CT
As campuses continue to address the mental health needs of their students, institutions have increased support services through teletherapy options. MHEC will host the Jed Foundation and the American Council of Education for a panel discussion on the selection of a teletherapy vendor based on t heir research. The University of Wisconsin-Whitewater will provide a campus perspective.
WEBINAR
Are You Ready? New Licensure Regulations Significantly Impact Student Enrollment, Curriculum Development, and Staff/Faculty Workloads
Tuesday, December 7 | 1:00 p.m. CT
All signs point to the U.S. Department of Education releasing the final version of Title IV Certification Procedures regulations by November 1. These regulations likely will include an expansion of professional and occupational licensure-related responsibilities for institutions, with the need to certify that programs satisfy all educational prerequisites for licensure where students are located. As a result, institutions will need to limit enrollment in certain states, and/or revise curricula to meet specific licensure requirements. MHEC will host Higher Education Licensure Pros LLC to share information about the new regulations, the impacts on institutions, and how to best prepare for the July 1, 2024 effective date.
Contracts
Update: Next-Generation Higher Education ERP System of Systems
MHEC is making great strides in bringing next-generation enterprise resource planning (ERP) solutions to higher education institutions across the region. The Compact's competitive solicitation process will kick off in 2024 to establish master agreements with vendors of innovative cloud-based ERP platforms. These modern systems promise significant benefits such as lower costs, greater agility, resilience, and actionable insights through analytics. Review the latest Technology Solicitations for the purpose, business drivers, and proposed solutions for the initiative.
MHEC is seeking participation in a brief 10-minute survey to help shape this project. Institutional perspectives on ERP pain points and future priorities will be invaluable as an RFP is drafted with a focus on the needs of students, faculty, staff, and administrators. Thank you for helping drive the future of ERP!
SAS Selected to Meet the Education Analytics Needs of Thousands of Higher Ed and K-12 Institutions
Education institutions across the US can use software from global AI and analytics leader SAS for less, thanks to a new agreement with the Midwestern Higher Education Compact (MHEC). Faced with declining enrollments, US colleges and universities are turning to data and education analytics software to improve efficiencies while increasing student success. Additionally, education institutions struggle to share data that can reveal pathways to higher achievement and better careers.
“At MHEC we are always maintaining a focus on helping states, systems and campuses support students and their success while also optimizing efficiency,” said Susan Heegaard, President of MHEC. “This partnership with SAS for advanced data analytics, artificial intelligence and machine learning capabilities empowers higher education institutions to make data-driven decisions that support student success.” Read the entire SAS news release.
Programs
SARA Member State and Territory Grants Available, Proposals Due October 31
National Council of State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements (NC-SARA) announced that a collective pool of SARA revenue has been allocated to SARA Member State and Territories to focus directly on state support. Each State Portal Entity (SPE) agency may apply for a grant to support SARA-related continuous education, initiatives, and enhancements. SPEs may request up to $7,500 per annual application period. Funds are to be allocated and spent within a given fiscal year. The 2023 pilot year funds should be spent by June 30, 2024. To learn more about potential uses for the grant funds and to apply, [complete the SARA State and Territory Grant Application by October 31. Questions may be directed to Ashley Rasmussen.
Register for Public Session at NC-SARA Board Meeting: Six Proposed Policy Modifications
The public is invited to view a livestream broadcast of the public session of the National Council of State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements (NC-SARA) board meeting on October 23, from 1:00 pm.-3:00 p.m. Registration is required. Six proposed policy modifications were unanimously approved by the four regional compacts. Rationales for each proposal are available on the NC-SARA website. During the public session the NC-SARA Board will review these proposals in detail, consider their implications, and vote on each of them..
NC-SARA Institution Welcome Kit Now Available
A new welcome kit is now available to institutions participating in the National Council of State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements (NC-SARA) in helping institutional representatives understand their important role as a program participant. Resources available to institutions include details on the benefits and responsibilities of SARA participants and may be in addition to what SARA State Portal Entities and/or regional compact SARA staff may provide.
Students and Families Saved More Than $44M through Midwest Student Exchange Program
The Midwest Student Exchange Program (MSEP) 2022-23 Data Report revealed students in the Midwest saved nearly $44 million through MSEP, with an average tuition savings of $7,531. Community college MSEP participants realized an average tuition savings of $1,457, while university students saved an average of $8,053. Nearly 6,000 students were enrolled in MSEP in FY23, with 92% of participants enrolled at universities and 8% at community colleges. Nine percent of MSEP participants were graduate students and 91% were undergraduate students in FY23. The most popular field of study pursued by MSEP participants in FY23 was Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services. The table below lists the top ten programs MSEP participants enrolled in during FY23. In FY23 the top four participating states attracting MSEP students were Wisconsin 2,815, Missouri 1,032, Indiana 895, and Kansas 576.
Source. MSEP 2022-23 Data Report. Note. The full list of degree programs is in the report.
Commissioner Appointments
Kansas
Wint Winter
Board Member
Kansas Board of Regents
Term: 9/20/2023 to 6/30/2026
Team Updates
NACEP 2023 National Conference
Jenny Parks, vice president, and Beth Ellie, associate director of policy initiatives, will attend the NACEP 2023 National Conference on October 22-25. Ms. Parks will co-present on the Higher Learning Commission's Instructor Qualifications Expectations: 2015 to the Present with Mark Schneider, assistant vice president of K-14 academic initiatives and support at Ivy Tech Community College.
NC-SARA Board Meeting
Susan Heegaard, president, and Sara Appel, director of M-SARA, will attend the NC-SARA Board Meeting: Fall 2023 on October 24-25. The public is invited to view a livestream broadcast of the public session of the board meeting.
2023 Convergence: Credential Innovation in Higher Education
Jenny Parks, vice president, will co-present at the Convergence conference hosted by UPCEA and AACRAO on November 1-3. Accompanying her on the presentation Student Record Holds: The National Landscape will be Jared Abdirkin, New England Board of Higher Education, and Olivia Tufo, Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education.
EDUCAUSE Annual Conference
Deb Kidwell, director of technology initiatives, and Nathan Sorensen, director of government contracts, attended the EDUCAUSE Annual Conference on October 9-12. MHEC hosted three events including a regional networking breakfast for Midwest attendees and members of MHEC's Technologies Community, a braindate discussion to gather perspectives on the value proposition of IT, and a guided discussion on the Next Generation Higher Education Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) System of Systems.
Deb Kidwell, MHEC director of technology initiatives, (pictured second from left) in the EDUCAUSE exhibit hall with HPE representatives and Technologies Executive Committee members.
Nathan Sorensen, MHEC director of government contracts, pictured front left, hosts institutional members for their feedback on enterprise resource planning.
Articles and Resources of Interest
2024 EDUCAUSE Top 10
EDUCAUSE | October 16, 2023
Dual Enrollment is Exploding. How Can Colleges Make Sure It's Equitable?
The Chronicle of Higher Education | October 10, 2023
MHEC Agreement Gives Institutions Lower-Cost Access to SAS Viya's AI-Powered Analytics Platform
Campus Technology | October 9, 2023
Waiting for FAFSA
Inside Higher Ed | October 6, 2023
New Report: Out-of-State Exclusively Distance Education Steady Three Years After Pandemic
NC-SARA | October 3, 2023
3 Ways Faculty and Administrators Are Embracing AI Beyond the Classroom
University Business | October 2, 2023
Game On, Again, for Gainful Employment
Inside Higher Ed | September 27, 2023
After Successful Pilot, the Ohio College Comeback Compact Moves to Full Implementation
Ithaka S+R | September 27, 2023
NC-SARA Announces New President
NC-SARA | September 20, 2023