Dive Brief:

• The Education Department is looking for experts to help develop its college rating system.
• It's also looking for ways to use "experimental sites" to test ideas on college affordability; that would give schools some flexibility on financial aid regulations if they participate in controlled experiments.
• The department's notice says it is "particularly interested in experiments that will improve student persistence and academic success, result in shorter time to degree, and reduce student loan indebtedness."

Dive Insight:

The call for expert input follows a handful of open forums that the department held across the country. It's all part of President Barack Obama's higher education plan, which he outlined over the summer.