Latest news with #Dept.ofEducation

USA Today
07-05-2025
- Business
- USA Today
Benefits could be withheld from 5.3 million defaulted student loan borrowers, feds say
Benefits could be withheld from 5.3 million defaulted student loan borrowers, feds say A default student loan is a loan that hasn't been paid in 270 days, which is about nine months. Show Caption Hide Caption How would a Dept. of Education closure affect Americans? U.S. President Donald Trump moved to eliminate the Department of Education. But he can't shutter the agency without congressional legislation. More than five million student loan borrowers who are behind on payments could face serious benefit consequences by the end of the summer. The U.S. Department of Education announced on Monday, May 5 that by the end of summer, 5.3 million defaulted student loan borrowers will receive a 30-day notice from the U.S. Department of Treasury, notifying them that they could lose federal benefits. About 195,000 defaulted student loan borrowers received this notice on Monday, and the first federal monthly benefit checks to be impacted are those scheduled for early June, a statement reads. "There's no such thing as forgiveness, just shifting the payment burden from one party to another. We will not force American taxpayers to take on the debts that are not theirs," Department of Education Secretary Linda McMahon said in an X post in late April. "Borrowers should pay back the debts they take on." President Donald Trump first paused payments in March 2020 because of the COVID-19 pandemic, a pause that he later extended. Once former President Joe Biden was in office, his administration also issued multiple student loan payment pause extensions. Most borrowers were ordered to begin paying their loans back again in October 2023, the Department of Education said. But once Trump returned to office in January, his administration announced that the Department of Education would start collecting payments, specifically for defaulted federal student loans, on May 5. The Department of Education reported in April that only 38% of student loan borrowers are caught up on their student loans. Student loan deadline: When do collections begin on defaulted student loans? What to know as deadline approaches Consequences to be 'very challenging' for borrowers, expert says The Department of Education's announcement, in tandem with the collection of student loan payments, will be "very challenging" for student loan borrowers, Rob Moore, Missouri State University's financial aid director, told USA TODAY on Wednesday. "A lot of these folks went for five years without making any payments on their student loans and there were questions about whether would ever need to," Moore said. As student loan borrowers are looking to understand how much money they owe and how they pay it, Moore said he's repeatedly heard that borrowers are facing "extended" phone wait times, often having to call multiple days in a row to get in contact with anyone at the Financial Student Aid office or their loan providers to answer questions. "I think that just contributes to the stress and anxiety and frustration that they're (student loan borrowers) feeling. When we start to implement these more punitive measures ... I think that escalates that emotion a little bit more," Moore added. What is a default loan? A loan default occurs when a loan has not been paid for a certain amount of time, specified in a loan contract. In the case of student loans, a loan goes default after it hasn't been paid for at least 270 days, which is about nine months, according to the Department of Education's Federal Student Aid. A default is a part of the loan collection process and has consequences. When a student loan goes into default, borrowers may face a damaged credit score, legal action, asset seizure, higher insurance premiums, tax consequences or collection activities, like debt being sold to a collection agency, Federal Student Aid states. Do you have a default loan? Here's how to find out To check if you have a loan in default, log in to your Financial Student Aid account at or call the Federal Student Aid Information Center at 1-800-433-3243. If accessing your account online, your Financial Student Aid dashboard will indicate if any loans are in default. How do you get out of default? The most straight forward way to get a loan out of default is by paying it in full. However, this isn't realistic for many borrowers. The Department of Education offers two alternatives: Loan rehabilitation: Agree to make nine "voluntary, reasonable and affordable" monthly payments within 20 days of a set due date and make all nine payments during a consecutive 10-month period. Agree to make nine "voluntary, reasonable and affordable" monthly payments within 20 days of a set due date and make all nine payments during a consecutive 10-month period. Loan consolidation: Consolidate existing student loans into a new consolidation loan and agree to make three consecutive, voluntary monthly payments before the loans are consolidated. Though the process of loan consolidation is quicker than loan rehabilitation, borrowers should be aware that accrued interest does get added to a new consolidation loan from former student loans. To learn more about loan rehabilitation and consolidation, visit the Federal Student Aid website at Contributing: Saleen Martin, USA TODAY Greta Cross is a national trending reporter at USA TODAY. Story idea? Email her at gcross@


Int'l Business Times
05-05-2025
- Politics
- Int'l Business Times
Education Secretary Ridiculed for 'Disingenuous' Teacher Appreciation Week Post Amid Promise to Dismantle Department: 'Hypocrite'
Secretary of the Department of Education Linda McMahon was unable to define the acronym IDEA during a Fox News interview. The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act is a federal law that guarantees appropriate public education to children with special needs. Trump administration Education Secretary Linda McMahon became the subject of vitriol after posting about Teacher Appreciation Week while assisting the Trump administration with dismantling the Department of Education. McMahon took to social media Monday with a video of herself voicing an appreciation for the nation's teachers. "I think teaching is one of the most noble professions," McMahon said in the video. "I'd just like to take a moment to say 'thank you' to all of our teachers, all over our country." — Secretary Linda McMahon (@EDSecMcMahon) May 5, 2025 "Teaching is among the noblest professions. To teachers across America, thank you for your devotion to educating the next generation. #TeacherAppreciationWeek," read the accompanying caption. Social media users quickly took to the replies of McMahon's post to point out the incompatibility of her message and the Trump administration's goals of reducing the department's power. "Hey hypocrite - give Teachers the RAISE they deserve instead of cutting billions of $$ that support teachers," wrote one user. Hey hypocrite - give Teachers the RAISE they deserve instead of cutting billions of $$ that support teachers — Ruth (@ruth62049) May 5, 2025 "Says the lady cutting the Department of Education, cutting money for mental health programs in schools and doesn't know the difference between AI and steak sauce..." another commented. Says the lady cutting the Department of Education, cutting money for mental health programs in schools and doesn't know the difference between AI and steak sauce... — Asho (@Asho_ohsA) May 5, 2025 "A thank you, as you destroy the Dept. of Education," said one user. A thank you, as you destroy the Dept. of Education. — Antonia Harlan (@harlan_antonia) May 5, 2025 "Disingenuous much? Karen?" another wrote. Disingenuous much? Karen? 🫵😒 — ʜɪɢʜ sᴘᴇᴇᴅ ᴡᴏʙʙʟᴇs! 🏁 (@HiSpeedWobbles) May 5, 2025 Since assuming office, President Donald Trump has turned his efforts towards dismantling the Department of Education, with McMahon playing a significant role in "reorienting" what remains of the department. An executive order signed by the president in March ordered the education secretary "to the maximum extent appropriate and permitted by law, take all necessary steps to facilitate the closure of the Department of Education and return authority over education to the States and local communities." Originally published on Latin Times © Latin Times. All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
Yahoo
04-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
You're lying to yourself if you don't think Trump wants to be a dictator
Those who don't believe Donald Trump wants to turn America into a dictatorship are burying their heads in the sand. His comment 'I run the country and the world' is beyond an egotistical rant and shows his aspirations. He is alienating our allies, causing mistrust of government and the tariffs are causing rifts here and globally. Prices are increasing every day, and it's going to get worse. Disharmony is rampant. Plans to make severe cuts to Social Security and Medicaid are alarming. If people don't receive Social Security, homelessness will increase, families will go hungry and businesses will suffer. The thousands that have already been fired are causing our unemployment to soar. Dismantling the Dept. of Education is disconcerting as they provide 92.2% of student loans. Students will be deprived higher education. Trump is expelling thousands of immigrants. This is not the country our ancestors fought for. It will continue to deteriorate under Trump. Our freedoms are in jeopardy. Nedra Mills, Holly Springs Doing what's right isn't always popular. America needed to get immigration under control, root out government waste, end antisemitism and keep boys out of girls' sports. Zero presidents have had the guts to tackle those and other major issues. When we elected Donald Trump, we told him to go fix those problems. So, if his polls slide, who cares? This isn't a popularity contest. Lee Hortman, Raleigh Most of Andrew Dunn's Apr. 28 piece on a needing a new state Constitution is about the confusion regarding Article III, the powers of the governor. Fair enough, amend that article. But Dunn is calling for a new Constitution so that other issues can be spelled out: 'standards for elections, education and redistricting.' He describes the process: 'Once the new constitution is drafted, three-fifths of the state House and Senate must vote to approve it. Then it goes to a statewide vote, where only a majority is required to adopt it.' Sounds like a dream of an opportunity for General Assembly Republicans to enshrine themselves in power for all of time. Robert Harrison, Durham House Bill 345 was recently introduced in the N.C. General Assembly by Rep. Pricey Harrison to recognize the rights of nature. This bill follows in the footsteps of a similar one last year that aimed to recognize the rights of the Haw River. Rights of nature laws are an opportunity to help ensure that our environmental surroundings are protected from exploitation and to usher in a new era of environmental stewardship. As of 2024, almost 500 laws exist across the world offering this form of protection. It's time for North Carolina to be next on the list. Raleigh residents are blessed with an extensive network of parks, nature preserves, lakes and more. Our City of Oaks deserves to have a thriving and abundant ecosystem with safety measures in place to prevent misuse. Contacting our representatives to encourage them to sign on to this bill is our best tactic in helping it move forward! Tia Hunt, Raleigh As an owner of two dogs and two cats, I am so glad that Goldie's Act (H.R. 349), a bill to help prevent dogs from suffering, was reintroduced in the U.S. House. Goldie's Act would protect hundreds of thousands of animals in U.S. Department of Agriculture-licensed facilities, including those in commercial dog breeding facilities, also known as puppy mills. The USDA has failed to address or document animal abuse in these facilities, which has led to preventable suffering and death. Goldie's Act is needed to make sure taxpayer money is used as intended — to ensure humane care of animals in federally licensed facilities. Goldie's Act is named for 'Golden Retriever #142,' who suffered and died in a commercial dog breeding facility in Iowa. The USDA noted her deteriorating condition over the course of several months but failed to take action regarding this Animal Welfare Act violation or inform local law enforcement. Goldie's Act will prevent other animals from meeting a tragic fate. As a constituent, I hope Rep. Valerie Foushee will help advance this lifesaving bill. Shannon Murphy, Cary
Yahoo
11-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
$43.7M contract for new Farragut elementary school approved by Board of Education
FARRAGUT, Tenn. (WATE) — A new school is set to be built in the Town of Farragut after a unanimous vote Thursday night to approve a more than $43 million contract with Merit Construction. The new school will be built between Boring Road and Village Commons Boulevard. This area of Knox County has seen rapid growth over the last several years meaning more schools are needed. Even with a new school built not too long ago, schools in the area are still being subjected to overcrowding. College counselors urge students to complete FAFSA despite Dept. of Education uncertainty To get an idea of the need for a new elementary school in Farragut, look no further than the current student pickup lines. Cars covering parking lots of nearby shops and lining West End Avenue from Kingston Pike all the way up to the Farragut Intermediate, Middle and High Schools. 'We have been dealing with overcrowding in our schools for a long time now,' said KCS District 5 School Board Representative Lauren Morgan. 'We are just thrilled that we get to have a new elementary school and are excited for all the changes that are going to happen in the Farragut community.' Some of those changes Morgan is referring to includes plans to turn Farragut Primary and Intermediate into elementary schools after this new elementary school is completed. All three of these schools will funnel into the existing middle and high schools off Kingston Pike. 'We worked very closely with the Town of Farragut. We did a traffic study. We've done a survey of the land and we are just getting really prepared,' Dr. Garfield Adams said. 'Of course, we had the RFQ that was sent out and the RFP as far as what contractor we wanted to use. Now we are just going to move forward with the construction process. Prior to that, of course, we are going to have to have the architectural design as well.' This will be the second new school in the West Knox County area since 2023 when Mill Creek Elementary was completed. West Knox County and Farragut in particular has seen tremendous growth over the last several years. Tennessee Senate passes controversial bill that would allow school districts to deny undocumented students 'We've had so much growth and so much development in the Farragut area and we see that in our schools too. We see it in our classrooms with our kids having to squeeze into tables when we can't quite fit all the desks in and that type of thing,' Morgan said. 'It's easier for students, teachers and everybody when we have adequate space to house everybody in our schools.' Dr. Garfield Adams told 6 News this will be one of the largest elementary schools the county has ever built. 'We are very excited. It will be a state-of-the-art school,' Adams said. 'Of course, we will have programmatic capacity and capacity available because it's one of the largest schools so very excited about the new design and the new school.' We are told, once ground breaking happens, it will be a two-year build time and the school is expected to open for the 2027-28 school year. ▶ See more top stories on Morgan added that the new school could help alleviate some of the congestion and traffic woes where Farragut Intermediate, Middle and High Schools let students out at the end of the day. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
04-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Man, woman accused of vandalizing Teslas in DC turn themselves in to police
WASHINGTON - D.C. police have arrested two suspects accused of damaging several Teslas in Northeast. The suspects turned themselves in on Thursday. They've been identified as 49-year-old Justin Fisher and 50-year-old Emily Fisher from Northeast. The duo is charged with several counts of defacing public or private property. They're both accused of writing political hate speech on five different Teslas over the past month in Northeast D.C. The phrases included "I like what Musk is doing," "ask me about my support of Nazis," "Let's do away with the administrative state! Buy a Tesla," "I love Musk and hate the Fed Govt" and "Go DOGE. I support Musk killing the Dept. of Education." The Tesla owners whose cars were damaged told FOX 5 they were shocked and upset that people would vandalize their vehicles. One woman said she's just happy that the suspects turned themselves in to police. Vandalism against Teslas is the latest reported crime by owners and dealerships across the country after Tesla CEO Elon Musk was appointed head of the Department of Government Efficiency, cutting federal spending and laying off or firing thousands of federal workers. Police say they're investigating the crimes as potentially being motivated by political affiliation, hate or bias. FOX 5 tried to call the suspects and they were unable to reach them. However, their attorneys issued a joint statement, saying: "Our clients are long time members of the DC community–neighbors, friends, volunteers, and professionals. They have voluntarily come forward and cooperated with MPD's investigation. Our understanding is that the allegations in this case involve non-violent and non-destructive conduct that resulted in no property damage. We trust that the government and the court system will treat our clients with fairness and proportionality. We look forward to ensuring their constitutional rights are upheld in accordance with the rule of law."