Nonprofits Empowering
Student Success
We are the national trade association representing nonprofit and state-based higher education finance organizations. Our members increase access to postsecondary education and make higher education more affordable for millions of families every year.
EFC Members Served Over Two Million Families Last Year
In Savings For Postsecondary Education Last Year
Scholarships Awarded Last Academic Year
%
Average Lowest Fixed Interest Rate on In-School Loans
In Grant Funding Distributed Last Academic Year
Advocacy
EFC 2023 National Impact Report
On September 12, 2023, EFC released the results of our 2023 National Impact Report showing more than two dozen members helped families plan and pay for college in Academic Year 2022-2023. Over two million families trusted nonprofit and state-based organizations to help them grow their college savings accounts, complete the federal student aid application, access scholarships and grants, and make wise borrowing decisions.
Leveraging Tax Incentives to Make College More Affordable
While states’ historical investment in direct higher education subsidies gets most of the media attention, how and why states have leveraged the tax code to improve college affordability has gone largely unnoticed. After highlighting the value consumers obtain from 529 plans and nonprofit and state-based student loan programs, this brief gives federal and state policymakers recommendations to expand these offerings to help address the college cost crisis.
The Perils of PLUS Loans
This brief examines Direct PLUS Loan borrowing trends over time, identifies how borrowers are ill-served by the both the opacity and terms and conditions of the program, and makes recommendations federal policymakers can implement to improve the program for both borrowers and taxpayers.
The Efficacy of Wraparound Support Services on Improving Postsecondary Student Outcomes
This brief summarizes the characteristics of postsecondary students and the challenges they face, details how existing support services have benefited students, and makes recommendations to federal and state policymakers on how they can increase awareness of and access to these critical resources.
Events
2024 CXO Summit
September 18, 2024
Alexandria, VA
The CXO Summit is a unique opportunity to streamline your sales process into a one-day event where you meet face-to-face with executive decision makers who are interested in your products and services.
2024 Education Finance Conference
September 19-20, 2024
Alexandria, VA
The Education Finance Conference gathers the student loan industry’s most distinguished thought leaders, innovators, and policymakers to explore the ever-changing landscape of financing higher education and charting a path to college completion and success.
Students & Families
College Planning Made Easy
Are you excited about pursuing additional education but worried about how to navigate the process? Our members understand. Click on the button below to find the state-based nonprofit that can help you take the next step in your educational journey.
Undergraduate Students
We know that planning, applying, and paying for college can feel impossibly complex. That is why we created a simple guide to help you understand what you need to know and do at each stage in the process. Whether you are graduating high school or contemplating a return after gaining some work experience, we will connect you to the tools and resources you need.
Graduate Students
Think you want to continue your education but do not know where to start? Click on the button below to feel confident about your next steps. The resource will walk you through the basics of graduate school and cover everything from choosing and applying to the right program to understanding how to make graduate school more affordable.