State appropriations provide a vital source of revenue to postsecondary institutions and students across the country. Yet, current models may disadvantage rurally -situated institutions and students. For states looking to create and/or strengthen connections between postsecondary funding policy and the needs of rural institutions and students, there is very little research — and even less practical, experience-based evidence — to inform their approach. NCHEMS, with support from the ECMC Foundation, is working to fill this gap through literature reviews, policy analyses, financial modeling, and participatory research techniques to make recommendations for state funding policies that enhance rural student access and success while ensuring financial sustainability for rural institutions.