The omnibus spending and stimulus package passed by Congress on December 21 not only provides another round of dedicated funding for higher education institutions but also includes significant changes for student financial aid—shortening the FAFSA, allowing incarcerated students to access Pell grants, and replacing the “expected family contribution” with a new index.
Topics: COVID-19
How can colleges reach stopped-out students amid COVID-19?
The transition to online learning during the coronavirus pandemic may turn out to have a positive impact on the re-enrollment of students who have earned some college credit but no degree.
President DeGioia announces spring 2021 plan
Given the unprecedented surge of COVID-19 infections in the United States, Georgetown University’s spring approach will focus on bringing seniors back to campus and providing some in-person learning experiences for seniors, graduate, and professional students.
Enrollment of new international students down 43 percent at U.S. colleges, report finds
The total number of international students studying at U.S. colleges and universities fell by 16 percent for the fall 2020 semester, with an especially sharp 43 percent drop in new enrollments.
Companies maintain tuition assistance programs in spite of pandemic, economic downturn
Employers often scale back benefits amid an economic downturn, but tuition-reimbursement programs appear to be bucking the trend.
COVID-19 curtailing students’ work-study opportunities, income
Hundreds of thousands of college students rely on the Federal Work-Study program to help them pay for their education, but the coronavirus pandemic is disrupting schools’ on-campus employment.
First-year enrollment down 16% at U.S. colleges and universities
A new report from the National Student Clearinghouse Research Center indicates that undergraduate enrollment at the nation’s colleges and universities has declined even more than previously thought.
Colleges urge students to share changes in financial status, submit FAFSA
Financial aid offices are intensifying outreach to make sure current and prospective students understand their aid options as many families grapple with pandemic-related job and income loss.
Access to course materials another casualty of COVID-19
College students who can’t afford course materials and rely on library copies are struggling this fall as campus closures cut off library access and quarantines of print materials take resources out of circulation.
Faculty calling attention to gender inequities intensified by pandemic
Women in academia were contending with gender and racial inequities well before the COVID-19 pandemic, but the research disruptions, child care demands, and overall strain of recent months have taken an especially large toll.
Competing demands weigh heavily on student parents during pandemic
Layering college on top of family responsibilities, virtual learning, and the stress of a pandemic, student parents are struggling to stay afloat as they care for themselves and those at home.
HBCUs drawing on creativity, community during COVID-19 crisis
Historically Black colleges and universities are used to making the most of limited resources—a mindset that is helping the institutions support students during challenging times.