Federal officials announced a final extension of the temporary pause on student loan repayments, sparking renewed calls for debt cancellation to address racial wealth disparities.
Topics: Student loans
Loan forgiveness: Biden says $50K is too much, signals next steps
President Joe Biden this week reiterated his support for writing off up to $10,000 in federal student loan debt for individual borrowers but said he will not pursue the $50,000 threshold being urged by some legislators and advocates.
Biden to propose $35B more aid for higher ed, pursue debt cancellation
Colleges and universities wondering what a new administration and unified Congress could mean saw clear signals this week as President-Elect Joe Biden proposed a new infusion of support for higher ed and aides spoke of cancelling student loan debt.
How much do parents borrow for their children’s college education?
The U.S. Department of Education for the first time has released data on the amount of Parent PLUS loan debt parents shoulder for their children to attend specific colleges and universities.
Robert F. Smith initiative aims to ease HBCU students’ debt burden
The billionaire—who made headlines last year for clearing the student debt of 400 Morehouse graduates—now hopes to help thousands of students at historically Black colleges and universities bypass high-interest, fixed-payment private loans.
What’s ahead for law students unable to take the bar or attend summer jobs?
Whether they’re graduating this spring, preparing for a summer program, or just starting their legal education, students at the nation’s law schools are facing unique challenges and an uncertain future in light of the coronavirus pandemic.
Administration temporarily halts federal student loan interest
In an unprecedented effort to provide relief during the COVID-19 pandemic, the Department of Education will automatically halt interest collection on all federal student loans until further notice.
A fix for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program?
The U.S. Department of Education is simplifying the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program’s application process, amid frustration from the thousands of borrowers who took up careers in public service and later had their requests rejected.
Is college worth it? New report says yes.
A new report from Georgetown University’s Center on Education and the Workforce finds that private, nonprofit four-year colleges have the highest long-term return on investment, while community college programs and associate’s degrees have the highest short-term return.
Analysis of student loan default rates shows racial disparities
The Federal Reserve Bank of New York recently highlighted obstacles to college affordability, finding that student loan borrowers in zip codes with mostly Black residents were twice as likely to default on their debt than borrowers in predominantly white areas.
Emerging loan industry looks to boost access for international students
A new loan industry is targeting the financial barriers that often prevent international students from attending American colleges and universities, but high interest rates could dampen enthusiasm for the model.
HBCU families disproportionately carry Parent PLUS loans
Nearly a quarter of HBCU families are using Parent PLUS Loans to pay for college, compared with eight percent of college families overall.