Latest news with #PellGrant
Time of India
6 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Tennessee launches student first college access program, marking a shift from Trump-era approach
Tennessee launches student first college programme In a significant shift from the higher education policies of the Trump era, Tennessee is launching a new pilot program this fall that offers high school students automatic college admissions, paired with personalised financial aid information. The initiative, led by the Tennessee Higher Education Commission (THEC), reflects a growing national push to remove barriers to college entry, especially for low- and middle-income students. The Tennessee Direct Admissions pilot is being closely watched across the country, not just for its bold design but for what it represents: a deliberate turn away from the Trump-era philosophy of reduced federal involvement in college access and affordability. A new model for college access Starting in November 2025, approximately 41,000 students from more than 230 randomly selected Tennessee high schools will receive letters informing them of which state colleges have accepted them based solely on academic performance. No traditional applications, essays, or fees required. For about half of those students, the admissions letters will also include customised financial aid information, showing how much they might receive from state grants, institutional scholarships, and federal aid programs. This includes guidance on eligibility for Tennessee Promise, a state-funded initiative that covers any remaining tuition and fees at community or technical colleges after other aid is applied. Breaking from the Trump-era playbook This pilot marks a stark contrast to the education priorities of the Trump administration, which largely emphasised deregulation, limited federal intervention, and cutbacks to college affordability initiatives. The Trump-era Department of Education rolled back Obama-era protections on student loans, scaled down accountability measures for for-profit institutions, and opposed large-scale federal funding increases for college access. In contrast, the Biden administration, and now state partners like Tennessee, have pushed for a more student-centered, federally engaged approach, seeking to simplify the admissions process, increase Pell Grant access, and boost FAFSA completion rates. The Tennessee program aligns with these goals by targeting the exact pain points that derail college enrollment: application complexity, cost uncertainty, and lack of guidance. Research-backed and nationally significant The pilot will serve as a research study, supported by scholars including Trisha Ross Anderson of Harvard University, to evaluate how the pairing of direct admission and financial aid affects college-going behaviour. Students will be split into groups: some receiving only admissions offers, some getting both offers and aid estimates, and others receiving no outreach. The findings could influence future national policies, especially if the data shows increased enrollment among those receiving both types of information. More broadly, the pilot reinforces the Biden administration's interest in evidence-based policy solutions and reflects a reinvigoration of federal-state collaboration, a dynamic largely stalled during the Trump years. 53 colleges, full state support The scale of the pilot is notable. All 13 of Tennessee's community colleges, all 23 technical colleges, and 17 public and private universities have signed on to participate — signalling robust institutional support across the state. To join the program, students must complete an application for Tennessee Promise by November 1, ensuring they are also looped into the state's broader financial aid ecosystem. A national trend with bipartisan momentum? While Tennessee's move is rooted in a progressive, pro-access model, direct admissions programs are gaining traction even in politically diverse states. Illinois and New York have recently launched similar efforts. New York, for instance, is guaranteeing college spots for high schoolers in the top 10% of their class beginning in 2025. Though the approaches differ, the underlying goal is shared: make college feel possible, academically and financially, for more students. TOI Education is on WhatsApp now. Follow us here . Ready to navigate global policies? Secure your overseas future. Get expert guidance now!
Time of India
21-07-2025
- Business
- Time of India
One Big, Beautiful Bill: How Pell Grant expansions will support millions in workforce training programs starting 2026
(AI Image) The US government is set to expand Pell Grants to include new workforce training programs as part of the landmark legislation signed by President Donald Trump. The law, known as the "One Big, Beautiful Bill Act," aims to provide financial aid to students enrolled in short-term post-high school training programs lasting between eight and 15 weeks. This expansion is scheduled to begin in July 2026, marking a significant shift in how federal aid supports non-traditional education paths. Under this law, the US Department of Education will be responsible for vetting and authorizing schools to receive Pell Grant funding for these new programs. The move is designed to assist millions of Americans seeking quick, targeted training in fields such as cosmetology and welding, thereby expanding access to career-focused education beyond traditional college degrees. Pell Grant expansion to short-term workforce training programs The One Big, Beautiful Bill Act establishes a new type of Pell Grant specifically for students enrolled in workforce training programs that are shorter than traditional college semesters. The expansion covers programs lasting from eight to 15 weeks, addressing the growing demand for flexible educational opportunities aligned with labor market needs. This initiative will allow students in approved programs to qualify for federal financial aid, providing critical support for individuals pursuing skills-based training. The Education Department is tasked with beginning the review and approval of eligible programs by July 2026, ensuring that schools meet federal standards to access Pell funds. Federal student loan repayment plan overhaul The legislation also replaces all existing federal student loan repayment programs for new borrowers after July 1, 2026, with two streamlined options: a standard repayment plan and an income-based plan. This change affects new borrowers, while the over 40 million Americans who currently hold federal student loans will retain access to some legacy repayment plans. However, around 8 million borrowers enrolled in President Joe Biden's signature repayment program will be required to transition to one of the new plans by 2028. The Federal Student Aid office, a division of the Education Department, will oversee this transition and manage repayment operations. New accountability rules for colleges In addition to financial aid changes, the bill mandates the Education Department to enforce new accountability standards on colleges and universities. The so-called "do no harm" test aims to prevent federal loans from being available to programs that fail to deliver a positive return on investment for students. To implement these rules, the Education Department will need to analyze extensive data from multiple sources, including colleges, the Internal Revenue Service, the Bureau of Labor Statistics, and state agencies. This data-driven process will assess program outcomes across thousands of schools and tens of thousands of programs over several years. Department of Education staffing and implementation challenges The Education Department faces considerable challenges in executing the new law amid significant workforce reductions. Since the beginning of the year, the department's staff has been cut by half, and recent Supreme Court rulings have allowed layoffs of more than 1,000 employees to proceed while legal disputes continue. Beth Akers, a senior fellow at the American Enterprise Institute, expressed concerns about the department's capacity to implement the legislation effectively. She told USA Today during a recent webinar, "I do have significant concerns that the speed of the cuts will have left us with a department that is unable to effectively implement this legislation." Similarly, Jon Fansmith, senior vice president for government relations at the American Council on Education, warned of upcoming difficulties, as reported by USA Today : "You can definitely anticipate a lot of problems." Previous challenges with federal student aid programs The department's recent history includes difficulties implementing large-scale changes. For example, the rollout of FAFSA simplification legislation in 2020 experienced significant problems that jeopardized financial aid for millions of students. Staffing shortages and reliance on contractors were among the factors cited for the flawed execution. Despite this, Education Department officials maintain that the agency is prepared to carry out the One Big, Beautiful Bill Act's mandates. Jeffrey Andrade, a senior official, released guidance for implementation on July 18, with promises of more detailed information in the following weeks and months. Deputy press secretary Ellen Keast told USA Today , "We will continue to deliver meaningful and on-time results while implementing the President's OBBB ('One Big Beautiful Bill') to better serve students, families, and administrators." Outlook for students and schools Financial aid administrators have already raised alarms about the potential for disruption as the department reallocates responsibilities to meet new demands. Melanie Storey, president of the National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators, stressed to USA Today the need for clear plans: "With significantly more work on the horizon to implement the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, we reiterate our concerns that the Trump administration has not shared the details of a plan to redistribute the Department's work in a way that does not cause significant disruption for America's college students." As the US prepares for these major changes in student aid and workforce training support, both students and educational institutions will be closely watching the department's progress in meeting the ambitious goals set by the new law. TOI Education is on WhatsApp now. Follow us here . Ready to navigate global policies? Secure your overseas future. Get expert guidance now!
Time of India
20-07-2025
- Business
- Time of India
One Big Beautiful Bill: A bold reset or another layer of complexity?
New student loan rules and funding changes begin under Trump's OBBB. (AI Image) The US Department of Education has announced the immediate implementation of higher education provisions within the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBB). The move follows the signing of the legislation into law by President Trump, delivering wide-ranging changes aimed at federal student aid programs and student loan repayment systems. On July 18, 2025, the Department released a Dear Colleague Letter (DCL) to provide initial guidance to higher education institutions and Federal Student Aid (FSA) partners. The DCL outlines near-term regulatory changes and marks the first phase of the OBBB implementation process. Major changes to student loan repayment The OBBB introduces major updates to income-based repayment (IBR) plans, offering a more streamlined approach for borrowers. The reforms target simplification of loan repayment systems, including new repayment options for parent borrowers and revised loan limits for part-time students. The bill addresses regulations from the previous administration, including those related to borrower defence to repayment and closed school discharge policies. These changes affect how borrowers can seek relief from student loan obligations in cases of institutional misconduct or closure. Pell Grant funding and vocational training expansion One of the core provisions of the OBBB is the allocation of funds to cover a $10.5 billion shortfall in the Pell Grant programme. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Top 3 Casino Games in Sheffield Lounge 777 Play Game Undo This funding aims to stabilise the program, ensuring continued support for low-income students. Additionally, the bill establishes a new Workforce Pell Grant programme, intended to expand access to short-term, career-focused training. These programmes are designed to prepare students for high-demand job sectors and are expected to launch next year as part of a phased implementation. Eliminating aid to underperforming institutions The OBBB includes new accountability measures for higher education institutions. Under the new law, colleges that offer programmes leaving students worse off financially than before enrolment will lose access to federal student loan funding. This provision is intended to ensure that only institutions providing clear economic value to students will remain eligible for federal aid. The Department of Education has stated that additional guidance and regulatory updates will be issued as these measures are developed further. Next steps in implementation While several provisions take immediate effect, others—including the full rollout of the new Repayment Assistance Plan and the Workforce Pell Grant programme—will become effective in the following year. The Department of Education has indicated that further updates will be provided in future guidance documents and through formal regulatory processes. Acting Under Secretary James Bergeron described the announcement as the first step in advancing the President's vision for postsecondary education and workforce development. The Department will continue working with stakeholders as the broader implementation of the OBBB unfolds over the coming years. TOI Education is on WhatsApp now. Follow us here . Ready to navigate global policies? Secure your overseas future. Get expert guidance now!
Business Insider
18-07-2025
- Business
- Business Insider
Trump is beginning to implement his sweeping student-loan repayment changes
Student-loan borrowers will soon start seeing changes to the way they borrow and pay off their loans. After President Donald Trump signed into law his tax and spending bill, which included major changes to student-loan repayment, the Department of Education announced it was beginning to implement some of the new provisions. The department wrote in a July 18 letter that "many" of the changes in the spending law will be implemented on July 1, 2026, including the creation of two new income-driven repayment plans. However, the department said it is working with student-loan servicers to roll out a series of changes before then: No longer requiring borrowers to have partial financial hardship to qualify for an income-based repayment plan; Expanding options for borrowers who took out parent PLUS loans to enroll in an income-based repayment plan; Reducing the amount a student can borrow if they're enrolled in a program that is not full-time; And delaying the implementation of former President Joe Biden's borrower defense to repayment and closed school discharge regulations. If a borrower believes they were defrauded by the school they attended, they can apply for borrower defense, and if their claims are approved, their loans will be forgiven. Biden's administration attempted to make the process easier for borrowers to navigate, but it was blocked in court and never implemented. Acting Undersecretary James Bergeron said in a Friday statement that Trump's spending bill "delivers for student borrowers in a big way — simplifying the student loan repayment system, funding the $10.5 billion shortfall in Pell Grant funding left by the previous administration, supporting short-term career focused programs that train workers for in-demand jobs, and holding colleges accountable by eliminating student loan eligibility for programs that leave students worse off than if they had never enrolled." "Today's announcement is the first step in the implementation process, and we look forward to building the President's vision for education and training beyond high school," Bergeron said. The department's letter also said that it is amending the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program, which forgives student debt for government and nonprofit workers after 10 years of qualifying payments, to allow payments made under a new income-driven repayment plan to count toward forgiveness. Trump's spending bill eliminates existing income-driven repayment plans and replaces them with two options: a standard repayment plan and a new Repayment Assistance Plan, which sets borrowers' monthly payments at 1% to 10% of their income, with any remaining balance forgiven after 30 years. The options are less generous than the SAVE plan, which the bill eliminates. SAVE would have allowed for cheaper monthly payments with a shorter timeline to debt relief. The department announced on July 9 that interest charges will restart on the balances of the 8 million borrowers enrolled in the SAVE plan. The department said more information on changes to repayment from the spending bill will be announced in the coming weeks and months. They come as the administration is working to dismantle the Department of Education; the Supreme Court ruled on July 14 that Trump can proceed with firing department staff.
Time of India
17-07-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Why 1 in 5 US college students could be forced out of school under Trump's proposed budget
Proposed elimination of federal child care grant may affect millions of student parents across the US. (AI Image) A budget proposal from US President Donald Trump includes the elimination of the Child Care Access Means Parents in School (CCAMPIS) programme, which funds child care support for college students who are parents. The grant, managed by the US Department of Education, is the only federal programme specifically designed to help student parents access and afford child care while enrolled in higher education. Across the US, more than three million undergraduate students are parents, according to the Student-Parent Action through Research Knowledge (SPARK) Collaborative. This figure represents around 20% of the undergraduate population. In Oregon, the proportion is also one in five, based on estimates from the Institute for Women's Policy Research. Federal grant supports affordable child care for student parents The CCAMPIS grant provides financial assistance to colleges and universities, which then use the funds to cover operational costs for child care centres or issue child care vouchers. Eligibility for the programme is tied to Pell Grant qualification, offering wider income eligibility than other safety net programmes such as SNAP or Head Start. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Paras Sector 59 Gurgaon | Paras Floret Low-Rise Flats Paras The Florett Book Now Undo In 2023, more than $2 million from CCAMPIS was directed to several child care centres at Oregon colleges, including Portland Community College (PCC). As reported by the OPB, PCC currently provides 28 full-time child care slots under the grant, with students paying only $50 per month. Stephanie Hinkle, who leads PCC's women and family services, told the OPB that eliminating the grant would significantly reduce child care availability. She said the college could not absorb the cost, stating, "That colleges, who are shrinking budgets for a lot of reasons, are expected to take up a very astronomical budget item is unrealistic." Student parents face completion challenges without support Research by the SPARK Collaborative and the Urban Institute shows that student parents often achieve grades equal to or better than their non-parent peers, but are 14 percentage points less likely to complete a degree within six years. Theresa Anderson, senior fellow at the Urban Institute, told the OPB that access to child care is one of the main obstacles these students face. The OPB reported that only 22% of nearly 450 applicants to Oregon's state child care grant received funding in the most recent academic year. The state's Employment Related Day Care programme has also experienced long waiting lists and underfunding. Long-term impact on education and economy According to the OPB, nearly all PCC students who received CCAMPIS-funded child care over the past three years have either graduated, transferred, or entered job training. A 2024 return-on-investment study co-authored by Anderson linked child care access to improved educational attainment and workforce outcomes. Eriby Rosen, a former PCC student, shared with the OPB that the CCAMPIS grant enabled her to complete an associate's degree in accounting and gain employment. "Because of this, I was able to go back to school," she said. TOI Education is on WhatsApp now. Follow us here . Ready to navigate global policies? Secure your overseas future. Get expert guidance now!
