As policymakers grow more concerned about transcript holds, federal and state lawmakers are looking for ways to close loopholes and protect students unable to repay federal or private loans.
Topics: Student debt
New federal policy aims to protect student borrowers, ban most transcript withholding
The U.S. Department of Education released regulations that restrict higher education institutions from withholding course credit, protect students enrolled in schools at risk for sudden closure, and ensure schools clearly communicate how much financial aid students will receive.
‘College comeback’ program forgives debts so students can finish their degree
Following a successful pilot year, the Ohio College Comeback Compact is drawing national attention for its collaborative approach to re-enrolling students who have “stranded credits”—academic credits they have earned but cannot access due to an unpaid balance.
States with aging populations pay students to stay after graduation
Facing a shortage of skilled workers, some states are implementing programs that offer to help college graduates pay off their student loans if they agree to stay and work for a set period of time.
What’s ahead for student loan forgiveness?
Hours after the Supreme Court ended the Biden Administration’s student loan forgiveness plan, President Biden announced plans for a new path to debt relief.
Financial aid shifting from lower-income students to higher-income students, analysis finds
At nearly 700 colleges and universities across the country, net prices have risen more rapidly for the lowest-income students than for their highest-income peers, says The Hechinger Report.
The risks and benefits of institutional holds on course registration
Institutional holds on course registration are one way that colleges prompt students to complete required administrative and financial actions. However, a new survey finds that those holds disproportionately affect students from underrepresented backgrounds.
Federal agency: Withholding college transcripts from students with outstanding debt unlawful
For years, schools that offered direct-to-student loans could withhold transcripts to pressure borrowers to repay those loans. Now, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau is cracking down.
Biden cancels up to $20,000 in student loan debt for millions of borrowers
President Biden announced the cancellation of up to $10,000 in student debt for borrowers making less than $125,000, and up to $20,000 for those who received Pell Grants.
Pilot program tries a ‘win-win-win’ approach to releasing stranded credits
Northeast Ohio’s eight public colleges and universities are collaborating with Ithaka S+R on a sustainable approach to resolving students’ debt so they can access their transcripts and re-enroll.
Ohio State University plans to go debt-free for all undergrads
Ohio State University, which enrolls more than 40,000 undergraduates, said it will work to eliminate loans from all undergraduate financial aid packages across the next 10 years.
Newly minted vets, dentists facing debt that far exceeds earnings
A Wall Street Journal analysis highlights several kinds of professional degree programs that leave graduates with large debt burdens and relatively modest initial salaries—a threat to the talent pipeline for several essential fields.