Debbie Cochrane is an expert on student aid policy and practice and has testified before state and federal policymakers on topics ranging from access to need-based grants to debt relief for defrauded students. Debbie leads TICAS’ national work on community college issues and its California policy program. Her work focuses on financial aid’s relationship to access and success and practical ways to lower affordability obstacles. Reporters and policymakers frequently cite her research and policy analyses, and she has built statewide coalitions to support strong financial aid programs and better student outcomes. Before joining TICAS, Debbie was an analyst at the National Center for Public Policy and Higher Education and served in various roles in other nonprofit settings. She holds an MSW with a focus on social policy from San Francisco State University and a BA from the University of Michigan.
