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Don’t Let Them Kill Student Loan Reform by Armand Biroonak, OurFuture.org | March 11, 2010
Something so simple, so easy: end tens of billions of dollars in bank subsidies to the private lending industry and return much of the savings back into the hand of students, with the Department of Education providing loans to students directly. A no-brainer right? Well reform may be a no-go, if six Senate Democrats have their way. read more »Time to Reconcile Student Loan Reform by Armand Biroonak, OurFuture.org | March 9, 2010
If some members of Congress are going to stand with banks, instead of students, then why not pass student loan reform through reconciliation? Just like Americans and health care reform –students need relief now. It is time for Congress to act on behalf of students, and not banks. read more »Bail Out Our Schools by Robert B. Reich, robertreich.org | March 8, 2010
Any day now, the Obama administration will announce $4.35 billion in extra federal funds for under-performing public schools. That’s fine, but relative to the financial squeeze all the nation’s public schools now face it’s a cruel joke. The recession has ravaged state and local budgets, most of which aren’t allowed to run deficits. That’s meant major cuts in public schools and universities, and a giant future deficit in the education of our people. read more »Student Loan Reform, Good for Workers Too by Armand Biroonak, OurFuture.org | February 17, 2010
As Congress returns to Washington, the Campaign for America’s Future calls on the Senate to finish what the House started, and pass Student Loan reform to end billion dollar bank subsidies and invest in students. read more »Students Pinched By Recession by Armand Biroonak, OurFuture.org | January 22, 2010
The effects of the recession have been far reaching –that is no secret of course –but the picture for students in this downturn is only beginning to be painted more clearly. According to the Higher Education Research Institute’s annual survey of college freshman, students are really feeling the financial squeeze unlike ever before. read more »Worker Training in Demand, but in Short Supply by Armand Biroonak, OurFuture.org | December 11, 2009
The U.S. must train workers for the job growth of tomorrow. According to employment projection data released by the Bureau of Labor Statistics yesterday, middle-skill jobs will experience the highest growth over the next decade. These jobs pay well, but also require a post-secondary certificate or an associate’s degree. read more »The Higher Education Fiscal Crisis Protects the Wealthy by Peter Phillips, Truthout | December 2, 2009
Our current budget crisis in California and the rest of the country has been artificially created by cutting taxes on the wealthiest people and corporations. The corporate elites in the U.S., the top 1 percent who own close to half the wealth, are the beneficiaries of massive tax cuts over the past few decades, while at the same time working people are paying more through increased sales and use taxes and higher public college tuition. read more »Conservatives Want the Status Quo for Student Loans by Armand Biroonak, OurFuture.org | November 20, 2009
Representative John Kline (R-MN) and Senator Mike Enzi (R-WY) introduced legislation this week that keeps our broken student loan system in status quo, with corrupt private lenders and federal bank subsidies worth billions. read more »Student Loan Industry: We Are NOT Dead Yet by Armand Biroonak, OurFuture.org | November 13, 2009
Recently the Secretary of Education, Arne Duncan, advised college financial administrators that with the likely passage of the Student Aid and Fiscal Responsibility Act (SAFRA) in the Senate, universities nationwide should prepare to switch over to federal direct le read more »Executive Pay Hits Campuses by Katharine Trendacosta, airamerica.com | November 3, 2009
According to a report published by the Chronicle of Higher Education, 23 private college Presidents make over $1 million, even as the recession and rising tuition costs are squeezing students and recent alumni dry. read more »
The Latest
Education Gap Slows Mobility, The New York Times | February 20, 2008
Tighter Lending Squeezes Education , The New York Times | February 19, 2008
Schools Brace for Cuts, MSNBC News | February 12, 2008
School boards across the country are expecting leaner times as the nation's economic downturn leads to shortfalls in state budgets and local revenues. Declining housing markets have led to a drop in state sales tax revenues, job losses have led to a reduction in state income tax revenues, and declining property values have led to declining property tax revenues.
Bush Pushes Program Cuts, USA Today | February 12, 2008
House Curbs College Costs, Associated Press | February 8, 2008
The House approved legislation aimed at curtailing rising college costs and limiting student debt. read more »
Medicaid Cuts Hurt Schools, The Washington Post | February 4, 2008
President Bush's Medicaid cuts will strip schools of $635 million next year, and $3.5 billion over five years. read more »
Housing Crisis Hits Schools, The Washington Post | January 30, 2008
The housing crisis may hit school systems, and compel superintendents, teachers, bus drivers and custodians to do more with less. read more »
Bush Budget Won't Fund War, Politico | January 23, 2008
Sallie Mae Sued for Racial Bias, chronicle.com | January 18, 2008
Two student loan borrowers have filed a lawsuit against Sallie Mae, accusing the lender of charging higher interest rates and fees to minority students. read more »
Subprime Crisis Hits Student Loans, money.cnn.com | January 14, 2008
