Party worker slaps SSP chief Mahendra Rajbhar multiple times during public event
Mahendra Rajbhar, former leader of OP Rajbhar-led Suheldev Bhartiya Samaj party was caught off-guard when he was invited to an event in UP's Jaunpur, humiliated on the stage in a proper speech, garlanded and then… pic.twitter.com/u5EKjJsmbl
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Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
Student loan forgiveness backlog deepens, leaving thousands in limbo
The Department of Education is grappling with an unprecedented backlog of applications for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Buyback program, creating a prolonged period of uncertainty for tens of thousands of federal student loan borrowers. The program, established in 2023 during the Biden-Harris administration, is designed to allow borrowers to make lump-sum payments so that periods of deferment or forbearance count toward Public Service Loan Forgiveness. This is especially critical for borrowers who have served in public service but were placed in involuntary nonpayment plans, such as the SAVE plan, which was recently blocked by a court injunction following a Republican-led legal challenge. The backlog has ballooned amid staffing shortages at the Office of Federal Student Aid and mass layoffs earlier this year. While the department has made incremental progress, processing around 10,000 applications between April and July 2025, the queue continues to grow. Current data shows the backlog stands at 72,730 applications, nearly 50% higher than in April and an increase of 7,000 from the previous month alone according to the department's data. With the department processing roughly 2,500 applications per month, estimates suggest it would take over two years to clear the current backlog if no new applications are submitted. Meanwhile, tens of thousands of borrowers in the SAVE plan forbearance remain unable to make progress toward loan forgiveness, compounding financial uncertainty for millions of Americans. PSLF buyback: A critical workaround The PSLF Buyback program offers a pathway for borrowers to ensure that periods of nonpayment, whether due to deferment, forbearance, or other disruptions, still count toward Public Service Loan Forgiveness. Under PSLF, borrowers who make ten years of qualifying payments while working full-time for eligible nonprofit or government employers can eliminate their federal student debt. Buyback is particularly vital for borrowers near the end of their repayment period who were caught in involuntary deferments under the SAVE plan. The program is intended to mitigate the effects of missed qualifying payments, allowing borrowers to maintain progress toward debt cancellation. Backlog continues to escalate The Department of Education's filings reveal that the backlog has grown steadily despite processing efforts. In May, 1,472 applications had been completed, with 49,318 pending. Between April and July, approximately 10,000 additional applications were processed, including 3,280 in the last month alone according to US media reports. Despite this, the total number of pending applications has increased to 72,730. The current processing rate of roughly 2,500 applications per month means it could take more than two years to clear the backlog even if no new applications are submitted. With new applications entering the system continuously, the timeline for resolution is expected to extend further. SAVE plan forbearance leaves borrowers stuck The backlog is exacerbated by complications from the SAVE plan, which paused payments for millions of borrowers. These forbearance periods do not count toward PSLF forgiveness, leaving borrowers, especially those in their final year of repayment, unable to make progress. While the department has encouraged affected borrowers to apply for PSLF Buyback or switch to income-driven repayment (IDR) plans, mass layoffs and staff shortages have slowed processing. Some progress has been made in addressing the IDR application backlog. The total number of pending IDR applications decreased from 1,511,504 to 1,386,406, with 304,844 processed in the last 30 days, according to the latest reports. This represents a net reduction of approximately 125,000 applications, but at the current pace, processing the remaining queue could take nearly a year. Legal and administrative challenges The backlog is further complicated by administrative and legal actions. Temporary suspensions of IDR application processing earlier this year and resumption of interest charges on SAVE plan borrowers have added pressure on both borrowers and the department. Ongoing litigation and new student loan repayment provisions under the 'Big, Beautiful Bill' continue to reshape repayment plans, limit forgiveness, and create additional obstacles for borrowers. A system under pressure Millions of borrowers navigating the federal student loan system face delays, inaccuracies, and uncertainty as they attempt to track qualifying payments and apply for forgiveness. Without substantial increases in staffing or processing efficiency, clearing the PSLF Buyback backlog and providing the relief intended by Congress may remain a multi-year challenge. Ready to navigate global policies? Secure your overseas future. Get expert guidance now!
India Today
an hour ago
- India Today
California Republicans sue to block Newsom's fast-track redistricting plan
Republican state legislators in California filed a lawsuit on Tuesday seeking to block Governor Gavin Newsom's redistricting plan, aimed at countering Texas's recently proposed congressional petition alleges that the legislative process being used violates state law, which requires a minimum 30-day period between the introduction of a bill and a vote on it."Instead of a months-long transparent and participatory process overseen by an independent citizens redistricting commission for such a sensitive matter, the public would be presented instead with an up or down vote on maps unilaterally prepared in secret by the Legislature," the filing The suit was filed on behalf of senators Tony Strickland and Suzette Martinez Valladares, and assembly members Tri Ta and Kathryn LAUNCHES REDISTRICTING EFFORTGovernor Newsom announced the state's redistricting plan last week, using social media posts that mocked President Donald Trump's flamboyant plan seeks to use California voters' influence to push back against Texas's new congressional map, which could give Republicans an advantage of five seats in the 2026 on Monday, Newsom defended the plan as a necessary response to Republican-led efforts elsewhere. "We are not going to sit idle while they command Texas and other states to rig the next election to keep power," he added that the proposal gives Californians "a choice to fight back."To have the plan ready for a special election in November, the state assembly needs to pass it this year. Following a common end-of-session practice, lawmakers replaced the text of an existing bill with legislation that would bypass the state's independent redistricting commission, sending new maps straight to BATTLE OVER FAST-TRACK MAPSOn Tuesday, Newsom's office dismissed the legal challenge. "Republicans are filing a deeply unserious (and truly laughable) lawsuit to stop Americans from voting?" said Brandon Richards, a governor's spokesperson. "We're neither surprised, nor worried."The suit was filed by the Mandeep Dhillon law firm, previously owned by Harmeet Dhillon, now assistant attorney general overseeing the Department of Justice civil rights lawsuit does not challenge the "gut and amend" legislative tactic itself but seeks to enforce what it calls "an external constitutional constraint against the Legislature to protect the people's rights."Internal polling cited by local television station KCRA suggested that 52% of voters supported the measure, while 41% opposed it and 7% remained Republicans hold a slim three-seat majority in the US House and President Trump has pushed for redrawing district lines ahead of next year's midterms, when his party typically loses California and Texas, Republican-controlled states like Ohio, Missouri, Florida, and possibly Indiana are also moving forward with redistricting plans.- EndsWith inputs from agenciesTune InMust Watch
Indian Express
an hour ago
- Indian Express
UP govt signs MoU with UK for Chevening scholarship for study at Britain's top varsities
The Uttar Pradesh government on Tuesday signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the United Kingdom's Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) for the 'Chevening-Atal Bihari Vajpayee Uttar Pradesh State Government Scholarship Scheme' under which five meritorious students from the state will pursue master's degrees at Britain's leading universities every year. The agreement was signed in Lucknow by British High Commissioner to India, Lindy Cameron, in the presence of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath. The UP Cabinet had recently approved the proposal for the scholarship scheme. Speaking on the occasion, Chief Minister Adityanath said this scholarship scheme will serve as a powerful platform to transform the state's education system and prepare the youth for global leadership roles. The scheme, he emphasised, aimed to enable meritorious students to achieve excellence in education, research, and leadership at the international level. The programme will commence from the academic session 2025-26 and run for three years, with the possibility of renewal from the 2028-29 session. The CM urged the students to 'seize this opportunity and enhance the pride of both the state and the country'. The scholarship covers tuition, examination and research fees, living allowances, and airfare to and from the UK. The total cost per student is estimated to be £38,048 to £42,076 (Rs 45–48 lakh), with the state government contributing around £19,800 (Rs 23 lakh) and the remainder funded by the FCDO. The British High Commissioner highlighted that under the scholarship scheme, five students will receive full scholarships to study in the UK each year for the next three years. This initiative reflects the strengthening ties between India and the UK, an official statement said, adding this comes in the wake of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's recent visit to the UK, where he had signed the Trade Agreement and Vision 35, opening new avenues for business and education. On August 7, the state Cabinet had given nod to the draft proposal titled 'Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee-Chevening Uttar Pradesh State Government Scholarship Scheme'. The government then announced that the scholarship will provide for students' stay and study at top UK institutions like the universities of Oxford, Cambridge, Edinburgh, and the Landon School of Economics and Political Science (LSE). UP Higher Education Minister Yogendra Upadhyay then had stated the scheme will be renewed or extended thereafter. He had also said the funding will be equally shared by the state government and FCDO. The state government has cleared Rs 2 crore for the current financial year for the programme, it is learnt.
