Search

The article reports on the higher education reforms promised by the Democrats in the U.S. Congress. The Democrats said that they plan to increase Pell Grants, the main source of support for community college students. Democrats in the U.S. House led by incoming House Speaker Nancy Pelosi reduced the interest rates on student loans by fifty percent. David Baime of the American Association of Community Colleges said that they are waiting for changes in the Pell Grant maximum. INSET: New Position to Elevate Profile Of Community Colleges.

The article highlights several changes made by the reauthorized Higher Education Act. Loan changes requires borrowers to get deferments on unsubsidized Stafford Loans, where lenders has to inform the borrower the impact and how much interest they will have to pay later. The law also requires higher learning institutions to coordinate with guarantee agencies to teach students about financial management. The bill also creates new programs like A Teach To reach program, which helps general education teacher candidates work with disable students.

The article deals with the decision of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs to withdraw its policy against advertising the benefits of military veterans in the U.S. The agency is starting with a campaign alerting veterans to its suicide prevention line. The agency is expected to consider advertising other benefits including education.

This article reveals that the Pell grant program would be the winner under the fiscal 2009 $3.1 trillion budget proposal of the administration of U.S. President George W. Bush. The lossers would be career training programs and those that aid minority serving institutions. The Pell grants would be given a record $18.9 billion, which is an increase of almost $2.7 billion compared to the 2008 budget.

The article discusses the highlights of a daylong symposium on community colleges conducted in December 2007 by the Advisory Committee on Student Financial Assistance, regarding enrollment, persistence and transfer of students. Accordingly, a presentation on Louisiana's "Opening Doors" project has been featured in the event. It says that those attending the seminar have been told that much more information is required to document links between 2- and 4-year colleges.

The article reports on the decision of U.S. House and Senate budget committees to reject President George W. Bush's proposals to end or trim higher education programs. It cites that the spending packages also rejected a request to increase the Department of Labor's Community College/Community-Based Job Training Grant initiative. It states that the funding bills would set it at the fiscal year 2007 level of $125 million.

The article reports on the efforts of the U.S. Congress to expand college benefits for veterans. Representative Michael Michaud proposed a law that would allow benefits for veterans seeking training to become commercial motor vehicle operators. On the other hand, Senators Chuck Hagel and Jack Reed, introduced the Veterans and Survivors Employment and Training Act which would legalize the application of accelerated benefits provisions to associate degrees in Math and Science.

The article deals with the problems caused by the failure of Computer Sciences Corp. to properly oversee the implementation of information technology in the U.S. Department of Education. The department hired the company to maintain its server and electronic mail system and supporting both hardware and software. However, the department has not terminated its contract with the firm despite poor performance of Computer Sciences Corp.

The article reports on the passage of several U.S. House bills aimed at increasing federal support for science and technology programs at colleges and universities. The approved measures include the Sowing the Seeds Through Science and Engineering Research Act, which would start a National Science Foundation program to award competitive grants to research scientists and engineers. Other provisions of the bill are cited.

The article focuses on the federal funding problems facing tribal colleges in the U.S. According to two presidents of Indian technical colleges, despite earmarks, they must expend considerable time and energy fighting for funds. In response to such problems, Senator Byron Dorgan said the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs is working with the Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions to ensure what they recommend is included in Higher Education Act reauthorization.

The article looks at the dilemma facing higher education policymakers on whether scholarship awards should be based on need or merit in line with the reauthorization of the Higher Education Act by the U.S. Congress. Need-based grants surged from about $3 billion in the 1995-1996 school year to about $4.7 billion in the 2004-2005 according to surveys. College Board senior policy analyst Sandy Baum cited that public colleges are increasingly adopting a practice employed at private institutions.

The article reports on the reactions to the proposed fiscal year 2008 budget for education by the administration of U.S. President George W. Bush. David Baime, vice president for government relations at the American Association of Community Colleges, said that the proposal has advantages and disadvantages for colleges. A student group questions the effectiveness of the spending plans. The Consumer Bankers Association is alarmed with the proposed reduction in interest rates on student loans.

The article provides information on the fiscal year 2008 budget proposed by the administration of U.S. President George W. Bush. The budget calls for an increase in funding for the Pell Grant program. The budget also proposes an increase in the level of Academic Competitiveness Grants. The administration plans to keep Work-Study funding. The Department of Education proposes to reduce Federal Family Education Loans.

The article reports that the U.S. Congress has approved a budget bill in February 2007 that would make higher education more affordable. The bill will increase the annual Pell Grant funding, the nation's largest need-based scholarship program, to $13.6 billion. The bill will also keep higher education funding at current levels. On the other hand, legislation passed by Congress to slash student loan interest rates in half is encountering opposition in the Senate.

The article reports on the investigations on the financial and educational practices of Career Education Corp. in the U.S. One of the accusations charged against Career Education is that it has enrolled large number of students and assisted them secure federal students loans that are never repaid. The U.S. Department of Education Office of Inspector General has launched a series of audits to determine whether Career Education's campuses are complying with the 90-10 rule.

The article reports that a 2006 hearing in the U.S. Senate Finance Committee led by Senator Charles Grassley showed that federal tuition tax credits are not reaching community college students in need of financial help. Susan Dynarski, a professor at Harvard suggested the merging of Lifetime Learning Credit and Hope Scholarship Tax Credit. Among those who were present at the hearing were Bridget Terry Long of Harvard Graduate School of Education and Patricia McGuire of Trinity University in Washington, D.C.

The article discusses a 2006 report from the National Conference of State Legislatures done by its Blue Ribbon Commission of Higher Education. The commission included six Democrats and six Republicans who are all leaders in higher education in state legislatures. The report revealed that state legislatures must get involved in solving the crisis in U.S. higher education. The report also advised states to encourage more enrollees at technical and community college and promote satellite campuses, distance learning and flexible schedules for students.

The article presents the "Open Doors 2006" report which tells about the decrease in the number of foreign students attending U.S. two-year community colleges. 1.4 percent decrease was achieved in the last academic year. A large number of community college students were reported as not pursuing two-year degrees. They were just getting certificates, aiming for higher degrees or taking courses to sharpen skills.

The article reports that the interim rules of the Office of Postsecondary Education of the U.S. Department of Education are governing changes in student aid law. Telecommunications classes are affecting the ability of colleges to take part in the Title IV student aid program, according to the council for Higher Education Accreditation. The 50-percent rule states that any college enrolling more than half of its students in distance learning is barred to participate in federal student-aid programs.

The article discusses issues surrounding the high costs of college textbooks. A study on the rising costs of college textbooks is being undertaken by the Advisory Committee on Student Financial Assistance. Representative David Wu, D-Ore., a member of the House Education & the Workforce Committee, commented on the textbook issue. James Koch of the Old Dominion University also suggested a variety of ways colleges could help lower textbook costs.

The article reports on the issuance of interim rules by the Office of Postsecondary Education of the U.S. Education Department that end the disqualification of colleges from Title IV if most of their students take Internet-based courses or most of their curricula were based on measuring student outcomes instead of credit or clock hours. It says that the new Academic Competitiveness and National Science and Mathematics Access to Retain Talent grant programs are not affected by the new rules.

The article provides information on the results of the report "Student Financing of Undergraduate Education: 2003-2004," prepared by the U.S. National Center for Education Statistics. Financial aid is being received by some 61 percent of the two-year college full-time students. $7,400 is the average net price of school attendance for the two-year college student.

The article reports on the efforts of the National Adult Education/Community College Working Group to address the needs of adult education programs across the U.S. during a meeting with the Department of Education's Office of Vocational and Adult Education (OVAE) held in Washington, D.C. According to OVAE special assistant for community colleges Joan Athen, such programs functioned without a clear and effective way to move students into college and careers success. The OVAE and the working group aims to see the programs as gateways to higher education, particularly at community colleges.

Focuses on the study "Employees in Postsecondary Institutions, Fall 2004, and Salaries of Fulltime Instructional Employees, 2004-05," a study from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) in the U.S. Number of full-time teachers with faculty status; Average salary for teachers at public two-year schools; Salary of for-profit teachers.

The article discusses the findings of a report on the state of engineering education at community colleges in the U.S., released by a committee formed by the National Academy of Engineering and affiliates of the National Science Foundation in 2005. The committee explains why community colleges need to form partnership with four-year schools. An example of such partnership is given. The importance of transfer agreements is explored.

The article reports on the increase in the number of community college students coming to study in the U.S. from abroad in 2004. The importance of certificates of training is discussed. The effect of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attack on education is addressed. The courses taken by the students are listed.

Reports on the failure of the U.S. Office of Federal Student Aid to comply with the U.S. Department of Education's policy of keeping computerized data on Title IV loans and Pell Grants secure in 2005. Promise made by the FSA regarding student aid data security; Failure of FSA regarding passwords; Reviews of log records; Improvement needed n the audit follow-up procedure of FSA.

Presents news briefs on education in the U.S. as of October 24, 2005. Data from the U.S. Census Bureau on the number of enrollees in two-year schools in 2004; Release of the report "Postsecondary Institutions in the United States: Fall 2004 and Other Awards Conferred: 2003-04" by the National Center for Education Statistics; Decline in loan default rates among two-year college students.

Focuses on issues discussed by members of the U.S. Advisory Committee on Student Financial Assistance at the Symposium on Access and Persistence held in Washington D.C. in September 2005. Need for researchers to determine the factors that hinder students to enter college; Implications of the increase in the number of children who receive meal through the federal School Lunch Program; Reason of Pell Grant recipients for attending community colleges and proprietary schools.

Reports on the establishment of the Commission on the Future of Higher Education by U.S. Education Secretary Margaret Spellings to examine issues related to education. Designation of Doctor Charlene Nunley, president of the Montgomery College in Maryland, to represent community colleges in the commission; Plan of the commission to conduct hearings around the country and deliver findings and recommended strategies by August 1, 2006; Other duties and responsibilities of the commission.

Presents the summary of the report "Student Aid and Postsecondary Tax Preferences: Limited Research Exists on Effectiveness of Tools to Assist Students and Families Through Title IV Student Aid and Tax Preferences," released by the U.S. Government Accountability Office. Need for students and parents to identify applicable tax preferences, understand complex rules concerning their use and correctly calculate and claim credits or deductions; Eligibility for tax benefits; Limitation of the role of the federal government with respect to higher education tax preferences.

Reports on the opposition of the American Federation of Teachers to the U.S. College Access and Opportunity Act. Increase in Pell Grants under the bill; Requirements for colleges with tuition increases; Provision for students with drug conviction.

Assesses the implication of the different positions of the U.S. Congress on the funding of the Community Technology Centers grant program for the U.S. education. Appropriations bill proposed by the House and the Senate for 2006; Reason of the U.S. Department of Education for not seeking new applicants for the program; Requirements that should be meet by pending applications; Number of grants received by community colleges from the program.

Reports on the approval of the College Access and Opportunity Act by the House Committee on Education and the Workforce as of August 15, 2005. Initiative of the Democrats to increase student aid that was blocked at the hearing of the bill; Goal of the legislators in reforming the U.S. education system; Views of minority member George Miller, D-Calif., on the refusal of the Republicans to increase student aid; Benefits that the bill provide to students.

Comments on the increase in funding for the education sector of the U.S. in August 2005. Details of the Senate appropriations bill for Pell Grants; Efforts of the sector to increase the Basic Grants given to schools in the country; Amount of budget allotted for technical education; Status of fund for the improvement of post secondary education in the country.

Presents updates on educational law and legislation in the U.S. as of July 4, 2005. Introduction of a college education finance bill by leaders of the U.S. Senate Finance Committee; Information on a U.S. House legislation sponsored by U.S. Representative John Kline (R-Minn.), that would allow students in military reserves to get loan payments deferred while serving overseas; Benefits of a bill co-sponsored by U.S. Representative George Miller (D-Calif.), for the college education of children in foster care.

Provides information on several legislative bills introduced by U.S. Senators on higher education financial assistance. Accessing College Through Comprehensive Early Outreach and State Partnerships Act; Financial Aid Form Simplification and Access Act; Higher Education Affordability, Access and Opportunity Act.

Presents information contained in the report "Means-Tested Programs: Information on Program Access Can Be an Important Management Tool," released by U.S. Government Accountability Office. Absence of a collection of data on how many eligible college students do not apply for student aid; Difficulty being faced by the Department of Education in ensuring access to the grants; Incapability to estimate the participation rate for the Pell Grant program of the government.

Deals with the plan of the U.S. Department of Education's Office of Postsecondary Education (OPE) to change its method in ranking applications for discretionary grant competitions in 2005. Concern of community colleges over the proposed change; Statement issued by OPE regarding its plan; Complaints of Gregory Williams, president of Western Texas College, on the new flexibility of OPE.

Reports on the reaction of several colleges to the legislation of the Workforce Investment Act programs in the U.S. Impact of the bill on the participation of community-colleges in federally funded job training; Status of the Job Training Improvement Act of 2005; Plans of the Congress to create a list of eligible training providers for workers.

Reports that the U.S. House Education and the Workforce's Subcommittee on 21st Century Competitiveness approved the Job Training Improvement Act of 2005. Information on the bill; Statement issued by Kevin Smith, a spokesman for the Education and the Workforce Committee; Significance of the bill for community-college presidents.

Presents views on U.S. President George W. Bush's proposal of increasing the size of Pell Grants. Way to keep jobs in the country, according to Senator John Cornyn (R-Tex.); Support from Senator John Thune (R-S.D.); Suggestions of Representative Dennis Kucinich (D-Ohio) for community colleges.

Discusses a policy paper released by Cato Institute and written by Gary Wolfram, professor of political science at Hillsdale College in Michigan, regarding the effects of government financing on college costs in the U.S. Factors that influenced the increasing cost of college education; Impact of federal aids to higher education on the ability of voters to form opinions about public policy; Suggestion given by Wolfram.

Reports on the decision of the U.S. Department of Education to revise its tax table to determine the expected family contribution used for calculating financial assistance. Readjustment on the formula equation federal and some state aid for students in the country; Information on the Federal Need Analysis Methodology being used by the department to determine family income and Expected Family Contribution to education; Coverage of a law governing the issue; Provision passed by the Congress prohibiting the Education Department from changing the tables for a year.

Presents information contained in the 2004 Community College Survey of Student Engagement concerning community college students in several U.S. states. Gap between student aspirations and student outcomes; Percentage of students that participate in extracurricular activities at school; Emphasis on the need for community colleges to rethink and redesign college experiences to promote student success.

Presents news update on education bills in the U.S. as of October 2004. Purpose of introducing the Community College Opportunity Act; Provisions of the Taxpayer Teacher Protection Act.

The article reports on the implementation of GI Bill rules that will prevent housing benefits for distance learners in the U.S. Under the new rules, military service members and veterans could be eligible for a refund of all or part of the $1,200 mandatory contribution they made under the old GI Bill. According to Michael Lambert of the Distance Education & Training Council, the new rules are discriminatory and unfair since a number of veterans and active duty military serving overseas choose online learning.

The article stresses the ineffectiveness of the Office of Federal Student Aid (FSA) in its progress and planning processes, according to an audit conducted by the Office of Inspector General (OIG) of the U.S. Department of Education. The audit report found out that the office has failed to completely fulfill its planning and reporting responsibilities. FSA said it was not able to finish a five-year plan due to a lack of time and resources. The office agreed with most of the findings of the report and submitted a corrective action plan.

The article stresses the failure of final rules regarding the updated Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act to fully address issues about student data. The amendments to the legislation comply with the U.S. Patriot Act and the Campus Sex Crimes Prevention Act. The new rules are aimed at giving schools greater flexibility in making determinations about disclosures of information from students' education records during emergencies. The regulations also allow colleges to give information to contractors only when under the college's direct control.

The article reports on the 2009 agenda of the Veterans' Advisory Committee on Education, which is the simplification of the veterans' education benefits design. According to Committee Chairman James Bombard, chief of the New York State Bureau of Veterans Education, the committee is interested in the variety of the current GI Bill. Depending on where and how long veterans have served, they can qualify for up to three particular programs while benefits depend on their present duty condition.