Two years after the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, 2022 highlighted the disruption’s impact on higher education’s most vulnerable students, and saw colleges and universities charting a road to recovery. From efforts to support student belonging and mental health to recognition of Georgetown’s commitment to ensuring first-generation and low-income students thrive, THE FEED’s 2022 coverage followed important developments in higher education access and affordability.
See below for the most popular stories of 2022—and help guide our 2023 coverage by emailing us at feedmail@georgetown.edu.
TOP STORIES OF 2022
Georgetown tops list of colleges with high ROI for low-income students
An analysis explored why low-income students tend to see smaller long-term returns on their college investments than higher-income peers—and showed which institutions offer the greatest ROI. More >
High gas prices straining student finances
College students, especially those with long commutes, voiced concerns about the untenable cost of traveling to and from their campuses, internships, and jobs. More>
Georgetown Scholars Program nears $20M goal to permanently fund emergency aid for first-gen and low-income students
Thanks to a generous anonymous challenge match from a foundation and support from additional donors, the Georgetown Scholars Program is close to fulfilling its ambition to permanently endow the program’s Necessity Fund, which provides modest grants to students encountering unexpected, out-of-pocket expenses. More>
The case for de-emphasizing calculus in college admissions
Calling high school calculus “the next frontier in discussions about equity in college admissions,” a report urged institutions to rethink how they value the course. More>
Three strategies for increasing college students’ sense of belonging
Recognizing that recent years have presented a host of challenges to student connectedness, colleges and universities are finding ways to build community. More>
Colleges work to meet students’ mental health needs as dropout rates increase
Facing increased demand for mental health services and a shortage of providers, colleges explored ways to extend scarce counseling resources and increase student support. More>
Decline in Latinx enrollment sparks concerns about long-term effects
Colleges and communities across the nation have grappled with pandemic-related declines in Latinx student enrollment, hoping to minimize long-term effects on the Latinx community, the higher education sector, and the nation’s economic outlook. More>
U.S. colleges, advocacy groups working to support refugee students
Refugee advocacy groups and U.S. colleges sought to help resettle displaced Ukrainian and Afghan students and ensure their access to educational opportunities. More>
States forge ahead with tuition-free college
The continued proliferation of tuition-free college programs signaled ongoing momentum at the state level. More>
Common App updates language on gender questions, fee waiver eligibility
Common App announced changes to its application intended to clarify fee waiver eligibility and add options for nonbinary and transgender applicants. More>