There has been a great deal of talk and reporting recently that President Biden is canceling student loan debt. And with that talk a great deal of confusion. This Newweek article clarifies the status of Biden’s loan cancellation plans and how it may impact your loans.https://www.newsweek.com/student-loan-cancellation-who-may-qualify-1701519
All posts by samclaug
Williams College’s New Financial Aid Policy: Will Others Follow??
The Washington Post reported yesterday that Williams College in Massachusetts has announced a major change to its financial aid policy with the exclusion of both student loans and work-study. Many colleges and universities have revised their student loan awarding policy in the past few decades, with a more and more promising to fully fund students needs without loans when family income is less than $120k. Williams College is the first that I have seen vow to totally eliminate loans and replace them with grants.
The elimination of work-study is quite a surprise, as t can be a great source of ongoing funding during the semester for students. It is helpful for ongoing expenses such school supplies, gas for commuting, trips home or getting to and from internships and practicums. In rural campuses, access to off campus jobs can be difficult. This is especially true if freshmen are not allowed to have a car on campus.
Having worked as a Director of Financial Aid, I know that federal work-study funds are scarce. No new money has been added to the program for decades. For some colleges and universities work-study wages can’t compete with that offered by local employers. So, for aid offices, trying to use all your work-study allocation can be hard. That’s why when I counsel my clients, I advise them to ask for more work-study if they are using it up quickly during them semester or would like to work during winter or spring break. As I tell my clients, “Don’t be afraid to ask for more work-study funds. You are actually helping out the aid office!”
It will be interesting to see if Williams College starts a new trend, especially with the work-study policy. Link to Washington Post article below.
https://washingtonpost.com//education/2022/04/20/williams-college-loans-financial-aid/
Forbes list of 21 Top Progressive Colleges
Forbes has published its list of the top 21 most progressive colleges and universities. No big surprises on this list. California State University campuses feature heavily as do a number of elite institutions such Harvard, Wellesley and Yale.
Are there any missing from the list?? I’m looking at you Rensselaer and WPI!!
Check out them all out at the link below.
https://www3.forbes.com/leadership/the-most-progressive-colleges-in-the-u-s-vue/21/
Biden Extends Student Student Loan Repayment Suspension till 2022
The Washing Post just reported the the Biden Administration has extended the suspension of student loan repayments till January 2022.
For complete details read the story in the link. https://www.washingtonpost.com/education/2021/08/06/biden-extends-student-loan-repayment-suspension/
Employee Educational Benefits
One way to pay for college is through Employee Educational Benefits. Many companies offer these benefits to full time employees. Some even offer them to part time employees.
How do they work? Most EEB’s are offered in the form of a reimbursement to the employee once proof of successful completion of the course is submitted. You will need to submit a copy of your grade/transcript and you must receive a C or better in the class. Once you receive your initial reimbursement, you can use that to pay for your next class, then submit your request for reimbursement for all subsequent courses.
Employers may put limits on the types of courses that can be reimbursed , such as courses that are relevant to one’s job/career with the company. There is often a yearly cap on the amount an employee can receive in EEB.
Here are few national companies that offer Employee Educational Benefits:
Target
Starbucks
UPS
CVS
Chipotle
Lowe’s
Home Depot
To get information on your company’s Employee Educational Benefits program contact your Human Resource Department.
Mass Nursing Grads Waiting Anxiously to Take Licensing Exams
Massachusetts Nursing grads have been waiting for word from the State for information on when they are able to take the licensing exam. As this report from CBS-Boston explains the delay is a result of unprecedented numbers of licensing exam requests due to Covid-19.
What’s It’s Like To Do An Internship In France?
For those in college or grad school contemplating studying and doing an internship in France check out the YouTube video from “Unintentionally Frenchified”. Kate completed her graduate degree in France and did two internships. She gives great advice and insight in to looking for internships and what they are like as an American expat. Unintentionally Frenchified
Still reading: turning the pages for health and wellbeing in teens
Still reading: turning the pages for health and wellbeing in teens
Still reading: turning the pages for health and wellbeing in teens
— Read on corpus.nz/still-reading-turning-the-pages-for-health-and-wellbeing-in-teens/
Fellowship Opportunities in Urban Landscape Studies at Dumbarton Oaks – THE DIRT
Dumbarton Oaks, a Harvard University research institute, library, museum, and garden in Washington, D.C., has a number of fellowships open to landscape architecture academia and practitioners focused on race, democracy, and urban landscapes. For those who seek to conduct innovative research while social distancing in a more inspired setting — a serene garden designed by…
— Read on dirt.asla.org/2020/10/08/fellowship-opportunities-in-urban-landscape-studies-at-dumbarton-oaks/
Head For College 