President Obama has committed the United States to having the highest proportion of college graduates in the world by 2020 — up from its current ninth-place ranking. This noble goal has been his primary justification for increasing Pell Grant spending. But how effective have Pell Grants been in reaching this ambitious goal? And if they have not helped, then why increase funding? (more)
WASHINGTON — As Americans head to the polls today, the implications that their votes hold for federal higher education policy aren’t likely to drive them toward a candidate. Nonetheless, the outcomes of today’s Congressional elections will shape debates on higher education for the next few years. (more)
Include 529 plans as an Eligible Product for the Saver’s Credit, and Make the Credit Refundable (more)
The D.C. Opportunity Scholarship Program provides scholarships for more than 1,700 District children to attend schools of their choice. But the Obama Administration and Democrats in Congress are phasing it out. Students currently on scholarship will be allowed to continue through graduation, but no new students may enter the program. This despite an increase in annual federal education spending to $77 billion. (more)
The Left’s cheerleading for the student loan overhaul is really really loud. So loud that you might think, based solely on the volume, that the overhaul is 100 percent bad. But really it’s only 90 percent bad: (more)
Gautham Nagesh with some analysis of the nasty federal takeover of the student loan industry: (more)
A growing number of people are using the intricacies of federal law to turn the tables on their creditors—and the collection agencies those creditors employ. You can now add Seattle attorney Mark Arthur’s name to that list. He’s suing the 800-pound gorilla of the student-loan industry, Sallie Mae, for what he alleges were dozens of illegal phone calls. (more)
