700+ College Partnerships Reflect Growing Demand for Student Financial Protection
By: John Fees
College is one of the most important investments a student and family will ever make. That investment is becoming harder for families to manage. According to the Education Data Initiative, the total cost of attendance, including tuition, housing, and living expenses, now averages $38,270 per student per year. At the same time, confidence in higher education continues to fluctuate. A 2025 Gallup and Lumina Foundation survey found that 42% of adults expressed high confidence in higher education, up from 36% in 2023 and 2024, but still down from 57% a decade earlier.
Against this backdrop, more colleges and universities are taking steps to help students and families plan for the unexpected. GradGuard recently surpassed 700 college and university partnerships, a milestone that reflects a growing commitment across higher education to protect students and families from the financial risks of college life. Through these partnerships, institutions are making student protection programs, including tuition insurance and college renters insurance, available through embedded enrollment workflows.
As John Fees, co-founder and CEO of GradGuard, shared in the announcement on May 7, “Reaching 700 school partnerships is a testament not to GradGuard, but to the institutions that are stepping up for their students and families.” He added, “At a time when every dollar spent on higher education matters more than ever, these schools are choosing to provide an added layer of financial protection and security for the families they serve.”
For higher education leaders, this milestone points to a broader shift. Families are evaluating the cost and value of college more carefully than ever. Institutions are responding by expanding the ways they support students, not only academically and socially, but financially as well.
Why Financial Protection Matters Now
The cost of college is no longer limited to tuition. Families are budgeting for housing, academic fees, technology, transportation, and everyday living expenses. With the average annual cost of attendance now at $38,270 per student, even one unexpected disruption can create significant financial strain.
A medical withdrawal, serious illness, mental health condition, theft, or property damage can interrupt a student’s education and leave families facing non-refundable costs. In many cases, families do not realize where their financial exposure exists until after something happens.
Tuition insurance can help provide reimbursement for tuition, housing, and other academic fees, up to 100%, that are otherwise non-refundable when a student must withdraw for a covered reason, such as a covered serious illness, injury, mental health condition, or death of a tuition payer. College renters insurance can help reimburse students for loss or damage to personal property in on-campus or off-campus housing, addressing a coverage gap that many families may not recognize until it is too late.
These protections are not a replacement for the important work institutions already do to support students. They are an added layer of support that helps families stay financially resilient when the unexpected occurs.
A Student-Centered Benefit That Supports Institutional Goals
For colleges and universities, offering access to student protection programs can reinforce several important institutional priorities:
It helps families better understand and manage the financial risks of college.
It supports students through unexpected disruptions that might otherwise create additional barriers to persistence.
It shows parents and students that the institution is thinking proactively about the full student experience.
Just as important, these programs can be embedded into existing enrollment workflows, allowing schools to offer protection without adding administrative burden.
As Fees put it, “Protecting families’ investments isn’t separate from the student experience; it’s part of it.” He continued, “By offering these programs, institutions show their commitment to educating and protecting students from the risks of college life.”
That perspective matters. Today’s students and families are looking for institutions that understand the realities of college life and are prepared to help them navigate both the expected and unexpected parts of the journey.
What 700 Partnerships Says About Higher Education
GradGuard’s 700-partner milestone is not just a company achievement. It is a reflection of the leadership shown by colleges and universities across the country.
At a time when confidence in higher education remains below where it was a decade ago, student-centered benefits can help institutions demonstrate value in practical, meaningful ways. They show families that the institution is not only focused on getting students enrolled, but also on helping them stay protected and on track.
No institution can prevent every challenge a student may face. But colleges and universities can help families prepare. By offering tuition insurance and renters insurance through a trusted partner, institutions can give students and families greater confidence as they make one of life’s biggest investments. GradGuard is proud to work with more than 700 college and university partners that are helping educate and protect students from the risks of college life.
To learn more about how GradGuard supports institutions and the families they serve, visit hub.gradguard.com.
