The definition of higher education access has expanded over time to reflect evolving perspectives on the role of colleges and universities for individuals and society, as well as on issues of equity and social justice for historically underrepresented groups. In its most narrow form, access focuses on higher education admission. Policy makers, scholars, and higher education leaders have come to recognize, however, that admission policy is not the sole impediment to higher education access. Instead, there are many barriers that limit the ability of students to attend college.

Over time, with the identification of challenges to enrollment and the expansion of the access conversation beyond admissions, federal and state governments, as well as higher education institutions, have implemented various policies to increase access for those to ...