Sep 16 Why finding out how much a college costs is harder than it looks By Jon Marcus, The Hechinger Report The Trump administration is pushing to make college costs and outcomes more transparent, as an alternative to regulating institutions. But some of the data is inaccessible and inaccurate, and much is provided by colleges and universities with little independent oversight. Continue reading
Sep 13 Watch 7:47 Admissions scandal highlights ‘disconnect’ between colleges’ message and action The college admissions scandal that engulfed several Hollywood figures this year has essentially delivered a public indictment of some elite institutions. It has also sparked a larger conversation about admissions, access and inequity throughout American higher education. Paul Tough has… Continue watching
May 10 Students find ‘free college’ often doesn’t live up to the lofty promises By Mikhail Zinshteyn, The Hechinger Report The complexity of what "free college" really means is leading to confusion about whether students qualify. In fact, the people who would benefit the most, such as those who attend part-time or older students, are often excluded. Continue reading
Apr 12 Could more federal loans help students afford college? By Mikhail Zinshteyn, The Hechinger Report A growing chorus of experts is making the surprising argument that students need to be allowed to borrow more. With grants limited and college costs rising, loans can be a lifeline for students who have no other way to afford… Continue reading
Nov 27 DeVos warns of crisis over ballooning student debt By Collin Binkley, Associated Press The education secretary raised a "red warning flag" at a conference in Atlanta on Tuesday, that the federal government must change the way it gives out student loans. Continue reading
Nov 19 Bloomberg gives ‘unprecedented’ $1.8 billion to Johns Hopkins to boost financial aid By Associated Press The Baltimore university said the contribution — the largest ever to any education institution in the U.S. — will allow Johns Hopkins to eliminate student loans in financial aid packages starting next fall. Continue reading
Oct 30 Watch 7:06 Where support for college students is ‘high-tech, high-touch’ By Hari Sreenivasan, Merrill Schwerin Florida is one of 35 states that tie college funding to graduation rates. But a new study,“The Pell Divide,” finds a difference in graduation rates between students who receive funding assistance from Pell Grants and those who don’t. Hari Sreenivasan… Continue watching
Oct 30 Billions in Pell Grants go to students who aren’t graduating, new data shows By Jon Marcus, The Hechinger Report Taxpayers have spent more than $325 billion in the last decade on Pell Grants meant to help low-income students graduate, but only half of Pell recipients at four-year universities and colleges graduated within six years, new data show. It’s the… Continue reading
Aug 23 Twitter chat: How do we solve the student debt crisis? By Vic Pasquantonio To dig into the student debt crisis and discuss possible solutions, join the PBS NewsHour for a Twitter chat at 1 p.m. ET Thursday, Aug. 24 along with leading education voices. Continue reading
Aug 22 Georgia students drop out with high debt despite state surplus By Meredith Kolodner and Sarah Butrymowicz, The Hechinger Report More than half a billion dollars in surplus lottery funds, meant for Georgia’s college students, is sitting unused in the state’s coffers even as many drop out of school, unable to afford to continue. Continue reading