Erin Krull, Project Coordinator at uAspire, assists with college affordability education. Nick Raymond, uAspire Advisor, supports students with financial aid decisions. Jameia Tennie, Director at Common App/Reach Higher, leads student engagement programs in post-secondary admissions.
Uber driver debates Biden’s student loan forgiveness plan, questioning fairness for those who didn’t attend college or paid their own way. The driver argues that borrowers should repay their loans, and that forgiving debt could encourage higher borrowing and college costs. The passenger defends the plan, citing the financial relief it would provide to many.
Biden proposes new student loan forgiveness plan targeting specific borrower categories, replacing blocked $400 billion relief program. Plan eliminates up to $20,000 accrued interest for borrowers owing more than original loan due to unpaid interest, with income restrictions. White House estimates 25 million beneficiaries, including 23 million with full interest forgiveness. Plan also cancels loans for eligible borrowers in existing forgiveness programs, those repaying undergraduate loans for 20 years, graduate loans for 25 years, and those with high debt from career training programs. Additional relief for borrowers facing hardships like high medical or childcare expenses. Majority of Americans with federally held student loans qualify, including some with privately held federal loans. Plan aims for automatic relief. New plan uses authority from 1965 Higher
Seniors avoid problematic, simplified federal student aid form; impacts college attendance.
Growing learning environments between traditional homeschooling and conventional schooling, known as “microschools” and “hybrid schools”, lack a term that captures their breadth. These schools, often described as “unconventional” or “alternative”, are created by teachers, families, communities, and education entrepreneurs, and are influenced by homeschool laws, education savings account programs, and societal desire for bespoke education. The author proposes the term “community crafted schools” to describe these institutions, emphasizing their local, crafted nature and their alignment with communities of interest. The term could unify this growing sector and help them retain their original mission.
Washington University study reveals age often overlooked in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives in higher education. Despite increasing life expectancy and age-diverse student bodies, age is rarely prioritized in DEI efforts. Ageism is common but not seen as significant, with race and other identities often prioritized. Age issues are usually addressed in legal contexts, not DEI efforts. Age inclusivity varies across departments and older faculty and staff can face exclusion. Some institutions offer age-related programs and workshops to foster intergenerational relationships.
Post-George Floyd murder, universities pledged commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI). Amid anti-DEI movements, American University’s School of Education (AU SOE) maintains its antiracist commitment. Using a social-ecological change model, AU SOE has implemented antiracist policies and processes, integrated DEI into all academic programming, and empowered community members to drive change. Despite resistance and fear of backlash, AU SOE has diversified faculty, increased student enrollments, and provided resources for antiracism education. Storytelling has been used to shift narratives for transformative change.
Gap years before med school aren’t failure but opportunity for personal growth and strengthening candidacy. The author’s initial one-dimensional focus on academics shifted after pandemic-related disruptions and med school rejections. Three gap years later, she gained clinical experience, an additional degree, and personal development. She explored hobbies, attended events, presented at a conference, improved her diet, and prioritized health check-ups. Regular exercise and mindfulness practices improved her well-being. She believes these experiences will make her a better, more humanistic physician, emphasizing the importance of personal well-being in a profession with high burnout rates.
Montana Lee, a Duke University student, took a gap year after high school burnout, working at a farm and in Europe, gaining maturity and broadening her perspective. Duke’s Dean of Undergraduate Admissions, Christoph Guttentag, encourages this, believing it prepares students for university rigors. Duke’s Gap Year Program, funded by the Lauder Family Fund, offers up to $15,000 for gap year activities, promoting accessibility and inclusivity. Despite concerns about losing academic momentum, gap years are seen as beneficial for self-awareness and college preparedness.