Have you been watching the news? There is a big fiscal stand-off in Washington, DC. Both sides say they want to reduce the deficit and balance the budget. Last week the House of Representatives passed HR 1, which would cut funding for education programs by $11.5 billion (16.1%). If the Senate passes this it would [...]
Here’s some good news: Starting July 1st, the federal government will be increasing federal grants for college students. Some of this increase is coming from the Pell Grant, which will reach more students than ever in 2010. But there are also a new federal grant for dependent of US service men and women killed in [...]
You probably already know about the major health care bill that passed the House on Sunday night. But did you know that tacked onto the end of that bill is a $60 billion student loan reform program. I’ve talked to you in the past about President Obama’s plans for overhauling student loans, and now those [...]
A recent study by the National Bureau of Economic Research has revealed that simplifying the rules of applying for financial aid is essential to facilitate more low-income students attending college. The study — “Into College, Out of Poverty? Policies to Increase the Post-secondary Attainment of the Poor” — is actually a review of 17 previous [...]
The National Center for Education Statistics recently released a report describing the characteristics of college graduates who have received Pell Grants and comparing them to non-Pell Grant graduates. Here are some of the findings from their study: 36 percent of 1999-2000 bachelor’s degree recipients received at least one Pell Grant while in college. Pell Grant [...]
President Obama’s plan to federalize student loans and increase funding for the Pell Grant cleared its first legislative hurdle today when the House Education Committee approved the plan. Known as the Student Aid and Fiscal Responsibility Act of 2009, the President’s plan would expand the number of students eligible for Pell Grants. Currently 40 percent [...]
This story about creative financing for college ran over the weekend in my local paper. The article does a great job of outlining some of the financial challenges families are facing in the midst of this country’s economic crisis. It was good to see that staying in school is still a priority for the two [...]
