Changes to student loan programs could bring millions closer to getting out of debt, Education Department says
A review found some servicers had been placing borrowers facing financial difficulties into forbearance instead of giving them clear information about income-driven repayment options.
cbsnews.com100,000 student borrowers eligible for debt cancellation: DOE
Nearly 100,000 people are eligible for student loan debt cancelation, the Department of Education announced on Wednesday.The cancellations would apply to people who were affected by changes the agency made to the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program (PSLF) last year. In total, the cancellations would amount to almost $6.2 billion in student debt relief, according to CNN.Under the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program, eligible borrowers...
news.yahoo.comMillions return to in-person classes despite huge jump in COVID cases and calls for remote learning
Districts that have opted for virtual learning this winter are firmly in the minority right now. Only about 100 of the nation's over 13,000 school districts are opting for virtual learning this winter despite surging case numbers.
cbsnews.comHarris says Americans under the pressures of student loan debt 'are literally making decisions about whether they can have a family, whether they can buy a home'
Harris said the administration has to "figure out how we can creatively relieve the pressure that students are feeling because of their student loan debt."
news.yahoo.comBiden administration overhauls student loan forgiveness program for public-sector workers
The Biden administration is overhauling the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program. The Department of Education said the changes could benefit more than 550,000 public-sector workers. Seth Frotman, the executive director of the Student Borrower Protection Center, joins CBSN's Lana Zak to discuss the changes and who might qualify.
news.yahoo.comLocal schools named among National Blue Ribbon Schools
U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona recently recognized 325 schools as National Blue Ribbon Schools for 2021, including schools in Miami-Dade County. Local schools named as National Blue Ribbon Schools were:Homestead – Center for International Education a Cambridge Associate School, Miami-Dade School District. Blue Ribbon Schools have so much to offer and can serve as a model for other schools and communities so that we can truly build back better.”The coveted National Blue Ribbon Schools award affirms the hard work of educators, families and communities in creating safe and welcoming schools where students master challenging and engaging content. Now in its 39th year, the National Blue Ribbon Schools Program has bestowed approximately 10,000 awards to more than 9,000 schools. Exemplary Achievement Gap-Closing Schools are among their state’s highest performing schools in closing achievement gaps between a school’s student groups and all students.
communitynewspapers.comSecretary Cardona congratulates recipients in President’s Education Awards Program
AdvertisementU.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona recently congratulated the 2021 President’s Education Awards Program (PEAP) recipients, recognizing nearly 1.85 million elementary, middle, and high school graduates on their educational accomplishments. The President’s Education Award Program honorees have forged opportunity out of crisis and drawn on their resolve, their ingenuity, and their tireless optimism to excel.”PEAP was founded in 1983. Individual recognition is bestowed by the President and the U.S. Secretary of Education, in partnership with the National Association of Elementary School Principals and the National Association of Secondary School Principals. There is no limit on the number of awards as long as students meet the criteria for each award set by the school. Despite the uncertainty and challenges related to COVID-19, the program continued to accept and fulfill nominations so that student recognition could continue.
communitynewspapers.comDeSantis’ war on school mask mandates highlights deep political schism over COVID
In the polarized world that has enveloped the response to COVID-19, school mask mandates are perhaps the clearest demonstration of the sharp dichotomy between Gov. Ron DeSantis and the Democrats hoping to deny him a second term next year and derail his presidential ambitions. Not only isn’t DeSantis backing down, he’s escalating the fight.
sun-sentinel.comFederal government takes notice of South Carolina's stance on masks in schools
U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona has sent a letter to South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster and Department of Education Superintendent Molly Spearman, warning against policies that prevent school districts from requiring masks.
news.yahoo.comWhite House Says Florida School Officials Penalized over Mask-Mandate Ban Could Be Federally Reimbursed
The Biden administration sent a letter to Republican Florida governor Ron DeSantis suggesting that any school officials penalized over the state's ban of mask mandates could be reimbursed with federal funds.
news.yahoo.comUS eases student loan relief for those with disabilities
The action targets a loan forgiveness program that aims to help people with disabilities but that critics say carries overly burdensome rules. After being granted loan forgiveness, borrowers are required to submit documentation of their earnings for three years. Another 41,000 who had debt reinstated over paperwork issues will again get loan forgiveness, amounting to a combined $1.3 billion. Student Defense, a Washington legal group, said the action helps a small fraction of borrowers eligible for the program. Advocates estimate that nearly 70% of eligible borrowers have not received loan forgiveness and hold an estimated $14 billion in student debt.
School survey shows 'critical gaps' for in-person learning
Education Secretary Miguel Cardona said the findings, while encouraging, also showed “critical gaps” for in-person learning, especially for students of color. In January, 38% of fourth graders were learning full-time in-person, compared with 28% of eighth graders, the survey found. Among fourth graders, almost half of white students were learning fully in-person, with just over one-quarter learning online. Just 42% of those with disabilities and 34% learning English were enrolled in full-time classroom learning, compared with 38% of all students. AdAmong students learning online, the survey found, the amount of time spent with a live teacher also varied greatly.