April 9, 2026
Despite record $130.7 billion in public higher education appropriations, 2025 sees first per-student funding decrease since 2012
College enrollments increase, outpacing public funding increases An increase in enrollment at public colleges and universities has outpaced public funding increases, resulting in a 1.0% decline in per-student funding for fiscal year (FY) 2025. The 2025 State Higher Education Finance (SHEF) report, published by the State Higher Education Executive Officers Association (SHEEO), finds that after adjusting for inflation, public higher education appropriations increased 2.6% over 2024. The $130.7 billion state…
Read moreMarch 30, 2026
New Strong Foundations report examines state efforts in understanding rurality in higher education
A new report from the State Higher Education Executive Officers Association (SHEEO) looks at how state higher education agencies are collecting and using postsecondary student unit record systems. Informed by a 2025 survey of state higher education agencies, the report, Strong Foundations 2025: Insights into State Postsecondary Rural Data, has a special emphasis on state data efforts for rural learners and institutions. The new report summarizes key findings from the survey, highlighting how states…
Read moreMarch 30, 2026
Now seeking nominations for the 2026 David L. Wright Memorial Award
The State Higher Education Executive Officers Association is excited to announce the ninth annual SHEEO Excellence Awards program to recognize the leadership, dedication, and innovation in exceptional SHEEOs, agency staff, and agencies. We request nominations for the following award: The David L. Wright Memorial Award – This award is named in honor of the late David Wright, an esteemed colleague and leader in state higher education, who served in the Tennessee Higher Education…
Read moreFebruary 10, 2026
SHEEO launches national initiative to expand holistic advising for student success
Seven state teams to participate The State Higher Education Executive Officers Association (SHEEO) today announced the launch of a new, two-year national initiative designed to strengthen state leadership in building research-based advising systems that support all students. Holistic Advising for Student Success will engage seven participating states—Illinois, Kansas, Maryland, Massachusetts, Montana, South Carolina, and Washington—in a sequenced program of assessment, coaching, and in-person collaboration. Despite strong evidence that proactive, relationship-centered advising improves…
Read moreFebruary 4, 2026
New Grapevine Data Shows Softening State Support for Higher Education in FY 2026
The State Higher Education Executive Officers Association (SHEEO) today released the latest Grapevine data, providing an initial look at state support for higher education in Fiscal Year 2026. The latest findings reveal that state support reached $133.1 billion, an increase of 1.0% over Fiscal Year 2025.[1] This represents the smallest year-over-year increase in Grapevine reporting since 2021, when state support increased by 0.6%. Between Fiscal Years 2022 and 2025, year-over-year changes…
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