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☆ White House targets 'junk fees' on student loans and other higher education costs
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-15 | by ( Annie Nova | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

The White House is talking up its actions to reduce the expenses burdening students, including moving to end origination fees on student loans. While most private lenders have done away with student loan origination fees, the federal government still charges them. Federal student loan borrowers can face expenses of 1% to 4% of their total borrowing amount. The White House said on Friday it considers these "junk fees," which it defined as "hidden costs or surprise fees that companies and institutions include on customer or student bills, increasing their costs." "By eliminating origination fees on federal student loans, borrowers should be able to borrow less to cover their costs," said Betsy Mayotte, president of The Institute of Student Loan Advisors, a nonprofit.

Persons: Joe Biden, Culver City Julian, Biden, Joe Biden's, Betsy Mayotte, Mark Kantrowitz Organizations: Culver City, Culver City Julian Dixon Library, Federal, Consumer, The, Student Loan Advisors, Finance Locations: Culver City , CA, California

☆ In Bid to Curb Immigration, France to Scrap Birthright Citizenship in Mayotte
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-11 | by ( Feb. | At A.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +1 min

Located close to the impoverished Comoro islands off the East African coast, the former French colony has become the centre of fierce social unrest, with many residents blaming undocumented immigration for the deteriorating conditions. Much poorer than mainland France, Mayotte has been shaken by gang violence and social unrest for decades. Since January, island residents have been staging strikes and erecting roadblocks to protest against what they say are unacceptable living conditions, paralyzing large parts of local infrastructure. It comes less than three weeks after France's highest court scrapped large parts of a new immigration law designed to toughen access to welfare benefits for foreigners and curb the number of new arrivals into the country. Immigration is a hot-button issue in France, one of Europe's strongholds for far right anti-immigration parties.

Persons: Gerald Darmanin, Darmanin, Emmanuel Macron, Tassilo Hummel, Sophie Louet, Bernadette Baum Organizations: PARIS Locations: Mayotte, Madagascar, France, Republic

☆ Night Curfew Imposed in Comoros After President's Re-Election Sparks Protests
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-18 | by ( Jan. | At A.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +2 min

By Abdou MoustoifaMORONI (Reuters) - An overnight curfew has been imposed in the Indian Ocean nation of Comoros after violent protests against President Azali Assoumani's re-election rocked the archipelago, the interior ministry said. Assoumani won a fourth five-year term after the country's electoral body on Tuesday declared him the winner of Sunday's election against five opponents. The interior ministry announced the curfew on Wednesday. He garnered 62.97% of the vote in the latest election, according to the national electoral commission. The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights urged for calm and appealed authorities to practise restraint in the wake of protests.

Persons: Abdou Moustoifa MORONI, Azali Assoumani's, Assoumani, Moroni, Houmed Msaidie, Abdou Moustoifa, Bhargav Acharya, Michael Perry Organizations: Reuters, The United Nations, Human Rights Locations: Comoros, France, Mayotte

☆ La Reunion Lifts Red Alert After Cyclone Belal Moves Away
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-16 | by ( Jan. | At A.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +1 min

PARIS (Reuters) - The French island of La Reunion lifted a cyclone alert at noon (0800 GMT) on Tuesday, as cyclone Belal that struck the Indian Ocean island a day earlier had moved away and no longer posed a threat, local authorities said. "(The cyclone) no longer represents a danger to our territory," the authorities said, still advising a degree of caution even though weather conditions were improving. The lifting of the red alert means local businesses can restart activities but residents were advised to stay at home if possible. Nurseries would open from Wednesday but schools would remain closed until Monday, the Prefecture of La Reunion said. Almost 130 firefighters, 10 gendarmes and 15 power network specialists were scheduled to arrive to La Reunion from neighbouring Mayotte and from continental France.

Persons: Piotr Lipinski, Ros Russell Organizations: PARIS, La Reunion Locations: La, Prefecture, Mayotte, France

☆ Now that federal student loan payments have resumed, here's what to consider before refinancing
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-27 | by ( Annie Nova | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

But converting federal student loans into private debt can lead to the loss of a number of consumer protections, experts warn. Federal loans have more safeguardsThe most important thing to keep in mind when considering refinancing your federal student loans is that, should you move forward, your debt will be transferred to a private company, and become a private student loan. "Private student loans don't have the same benefits as federal student loans," Kantrowitz said. While federal student loan rates reset annually for new loans, they're fixed once disbursed. Federal student loan borrowers don't need to refinance to get a slightly better rate, Kantrowitz pointed out: Most student loan servicers will offer a 0.25% interest rate deduction when you sign up for automatic payments.

Persons: haven't, Mark Kantrowitz, Kantrowitz, Scott Buchanan, Buchanan, Betsy Mayotte, I've, servicers Organizations: Student Loan, Alliance, Finance, cryptocurrency, U.S . Department of Education, Federal Reserve, The, Student Loan Advisors, Federal Locations: U.S, Mayotte

☆ Gripped by drought, this French island is running out of drinking water
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-19 | by ( Claudia Colliva | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +10 min

In a country like France this is ‘unimaginable’Though 5,000 miles away from mainland France, under French law, Mayotte is as French as the suburbs of Paris. A dried up reservoir in Dzoumogne on the French Indian Ocean island of Mayotte on October 15, 2023. Gregoire Merot/APAs the water crisis continues, so do the health risks. ‘It’s not a normal life’A man fills a bucket with water in Dzaoudzi, on the French Indian Ocean island of Mayotte, Nov. 7, 2023. Marion Joly/AFP/Getty ImagesMahorais continue to struggle with the financial repercussions of the dire water crisis.

Persons: Racha Mousdikoudine, ”, Mousdikoudine, Douainda Attoumani, “ I’m, “, Cook, Olivier Brahic, Estelle Youssouffa, it’s, Marion Joly, Gregoire Merot, Soumeth Abasse, Abasse, “ We’ve, “ We’re, ” Abasse, Youssouffa, that’s, ‘ It’s, Elsa Leduc, ” Leduc, we’ve Organizations: CNN, Mayotte –, Getty, Regional Health Authority, French National Assembly, Mayotte’s, “, European Commission, Prefecture, BFMTV Locations: Mayotte, Africa, Mozambique, Madagascar, Prefecture, France, Paris, Chafion Madi, AFP, La, Dzoumogne, M'tsamoudou, Bandrele, Dzaoudzi

When the water taps run, she says, "I have to choose between taking a shower or preserving my water supply.'' The water taps determine the rhythm of life in Mayotte, an island territory of about 350,000 people northwest of Madagascar. But even without drought, Mayotte's water system wasn’t capable of fulfilling local needs. The local water union blames the water rationing on lack of production capacity, not lack of water. But Mayotte’s water crisis underlines inequalities and often awkward relationships between the central government in Paris and former colonies that remain part of France.

Persons: ”, Philippe Vigier, Ben Issa Ousseni, “, Cyril Castelliti Organizations: European Union, Overseas Affairs, ., Local, Mayotte 1ère, AP Locations: Mayotte, Labatoir, Madagascar, Comoros, Combani, France, Paris, ___

☆ Student loan repayments are back. Here’s what that could mean for the economy
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-09 | by ( Nicole Goodkind | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +9 min

New York CNN —This month marks the first time in more than three years that federal student loan borrowers will be required to make monthly repayments. Before the Bell spoke with Betsy Mayotte, president and founder of The Institute of Student Loan Advisors, to talk about what that could mean for the economy. Before the Bell: When exactly do student loan payments resume? The last time I checked, there were more than 40 million federal student loan borrowers. That’s the policy discussion that has to be had in order to permanently fix the student debt crisis.

Persons: Trump, Bell, Betsy Mayotte, they’re, ’ It’s, we’ve, It’s, ’ I’m, I’ve, hasn’t, David Goldman, Michelle Toh, Brent, ” Susannah Streeter, Hargreaves Landsdown, “ We’re, “, ”, Fraser Engerman Organizations: CNN Business, Bell, New York CNN, Biden, Payments, Wall Street Journal, The, Student Loan Advisors, Hargreaves, Walgreens, Pharmacy, CNN, Employees Locations: New York, California , New York, Massachusetts, Israel, East, Gaza, Iran, United States, Kansas City

☆ An orca pod has been harassing and killing porpoises for decades — but they don't eat them. Scientists still don't know why.
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-02 | by ( Grace Eliza Goodwin | Maiya Focht | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

But oddly enough, the killer whales don't eat the animals. Orcas are killing porpoises but not eating themFrom 1962 to 2020, researchers recorded and studied 78 episodes of Southern Resident Killer Whales harassing and, in many cases, killing multiple types of porpoises. They lead the majority of their lives in a group setting, in pods of up to 20 other killer whales, according to the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. The orcas' choice not to eat the porpoises was consistent with what Marino had seen in her years in the field. And sometimes they show them how to do it and then they don't actually eat the animal," she said.

Persons: —, Eric Lowenbach, Lori Marino, Martin Ruegner, Marino, We've, orcas, Serge Melesean, Deborah Giles, Giles Organizations: Service, Southern, Mammal, British Columbia, Oceanic, Atmospheric Administration, Newsweek Locations: Pacific, North Pacific, Washington , Oregon, British, Mayotte, France

NEW YORK (AP) — Federal student loan borrowers will need to start making payments again this month after a three-year-plus pause due to the pandemic. It's likely that most borrowers have received their bill already but if you have not, visit your loan servicer account. Czulada also recommended that you look at which type of student loan you have, so you know which income-driven repayment plans you might qualify for. Borrowers can find out what their monthly student loan payment will be on their account with their loan servicer. Betsy Mayotte, president of The Institute of Student Loan Advisors, recommends that you research if you qualify for an income-driven repayment plan.

Persons: haven't, servicers, Amy Czulada, Czulada, Joe Biden, Betsy Mayotte, Biden, you’ve, they’re, you’re, you’ll, ”, Charles Schwab Organizations: — Federal, Student, Protection, The, Student Loan Advisors, Public, Federal, Aid, Department, Education, Department of Education, Associated Press, Charles, Charles Schwab Foundation, Inc, AP

PARIS (AP) — France is sending military forces to distribute water on the French Indian Ocean territory of Mayotte, which is facing an unprecedented water crisis prompted by the island cluster's most severe drought in decades. Troops with the French Foreign Legion and French navy based in the region will work with local authorities to ensure water supplies to local populations, the Defense Ministry said in a statement on Thursday. Authorities have ordered water cuts two days out of three on Mayotte, a territory northwest of Madagascar that is the poorest part of France. Residents protested Saturday outside the Mayotte water management headquarters, carrying banners reading “Mayotte is Thirsty!”, according to local media reports. Around 30% of the population doesn’t have access to running water at home, according to regional health authorities.

Organizations: PARIS, —, Troops, French Foreign Legion, Defense Ministry, Authorities, Residents Locations: — France, Mayotte, Madagascar, France, Comoros

☆ Student loan interest resumes. Here’s what borrowers need to know
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-05 | by ( Annie Nova | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Undergraduate subsidized student loans should not start racking up interest until after you've graduated and finished your six-month grace period. watch nowThe interest on undergraduate subsidized loans is usually suspended while you pursue more schooling. You can contact your loan servicer or visit StudentAid.gov to learn your loan type, said Betsy Mayotte, president of The Institute of Student Loan Advisors, a nonprofit2. Recent graduatesMost graduates get a so-called grace period after they've finished school before they need to start making their student loan payments. If you're unemployed when student loan payments resume, you can request an unemployment deferment with your servicer.

Persons: Drazen Zigic, Kantrowitz, you've, they've, Betsy Mayotte Organizations: Istock, Getty, The, Student Loan Advisors

☆ Student loan interest resumes today — what that means for borrowers
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-01 | by ( Annie Nova | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

The interest rates on federal student loans are fixed once disbursed, but vary depending on when they're taken out. "Millions of federal student loan borrowers are starting to adjust to the reality of having to figure out how to bake their student loan payments into their budget once again," said Betsy Mayotte, president of The Institute of Student Loan Advisors, a nonprofit. The typical monthly student loan bill is around $350. As a result of the policy, the average borrower likely saved around $15,000 in student loan payments during the pause, including around $5,000 in interest charges. Student loan borrowers can check their interest rate at Studentaid.gov or with their servicer.

Persons: they're, Betsy Mayotte, Mark Kantrowitz Organizations: The, Student Loan Advisors, Finance

☆ Stampede at Madagascar's national stadium kills 12, injures around 80, prime minister says
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-25 | by ( Lova Rabary | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

ANTANANARIVO, Aug 25 (Reuters) - A stampede of sports fans trying to enter Madagascar's national stadium for the opening ceremony of the Indian Ocean Island Games has killed 12 and injured around 80, the prime minister said on Friday. Videos shared on social media showed Red Cross workers caring for dozens of injured people next to the athletics track. Prime Minister Christian Ntsay said 11 of the injured were in a critical condition. It was not immediately clear what caused the stampede, but at least 15 people were killed in a similar incident at the Mahamasina stadium in 2019. The Indian Ocean Island Games were created by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) in 1977, and include athletes from Mauritius, Seychelles, Comoros, Madagascar, Mayotte, Reunion and the Maldives.

Persons: Christian Ntsay, Andry Rajoelina, Lova, Hereward Holland, Chris Reese, Alistair Bell, Sandra Maler Organizations: Madagascar's, Games, Red Cross, International Olympic Committee, Thomson Locations: ANTANANARIVO, Mauritius, Seychelles, Comoros, Madagascar, Mayotte, Reunion, Maldives, Antananarivo

☆ My Student Loans Were Just Forgiven. This Is How It Happened
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-23 | by ( Sunshine Flint | ) www.wsj.com time to read: +6 min

That’s how long it has been since I took out my first student loan. Though I received grants and held work-study jobs, I still needed around $60,000 in federal student loans to pay for my degrees. The only person possibly more upset about this than me was my accountant, who suggested I refinance into a private student loan. Having federal loans meant that I was eligible for the pause on student loan payments that began in 2020. (In general, if you took out a federal student loan or, like me, consolidated your loans on or after July 1, 2010, you have a federal Direct Loan.)

Persons: Sunshine Flint, Biden’s, I’d, “, Biden, hadn’t, Betsy Mayotte, servicer Organizations: State Department, Education Department, Institute of Student Loan Advisors, Loan

☆ 3 options for struggling student loan borrowers when payments restart
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-10 | by ( Annie Nova | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

Jacob Wackerhausen | Istock | Getty ImagesWith other household debt on the rise, the restart of student loan payments in less than two months may cause financial hardship for many Americans. The pause on federal student loan payments is one of the last Covid pandemic-era relief measures still in effect, but the bills are expected to finally resume in October. If you're unemployed when student loan payments resume, you can request an unemployment deferment with your servicer. The maximum amount of time you can use an unemployment or hardship deferment is usually three years, per type. Kantrowitz provided an example: A $30,000 student loan with a 5% interest rate would increase by $1,500 a year under a forbearance.

Persons: Jacob Wackerhausen, Mark Kantrowitz, Kantrowitz, Betsy Mayotte, Biden Organizations: Istock, Deferments, Peace Corps, The, Student Loan Advisors Locations: Mayotte

☆ With college bills due soon, families should know the risks of private student loans
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-07 | by ( Annie Nova | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

But, Kantrowitz said, "borrowing private loans may be a sign of overborrowing, so they should do so with caution." Scott Buchanan, executive director of the Student Loan Servicing Alliance, a trade group for federal and private lenders, said private student loans can fill the gap for those who've exhausted federal aid and scholarships. "We almost always advise against private loans," Mayotte said in an earlier interview. She also described severe terms private lenders may enforce. watch nowAs Mayotte pointed out, many private lenders require students to get a cosigner who is equally liable for the debt.

Persons: Carlo Prearo, Max, Kantrowitz, Scott Buchanan, Buchanan, Betsy Mayotte, there's Organizations: Istock, Getty, U.S . Department of Labor's, Student Loan, Alliance, The, Student Loan Advisors Locations: Mayotte

☆ Boats that follow orca-encounter protocol may escape unscathed — but if an orca's in a particular mood, all bets are off
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-05 | by ( Maiya Focht | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Her team found that 63% of slightly damaged boats didn't follow protocol, compared with 36% that did. Roughly half of the damaged boats followed protocol, and the other half didn't. The protocol didn't seem to have an effect. "In very severe damage, when towing is required, we don't find significant evidence to follow or not follow our protocol," she said in the webinar. But the leading ideas are curious young orcas or defensive behavior by orcas that have been harmed before, González said in the webinar.

Persons: Mónica, González, Serge Melesean, there's, John Hargrove Organizations: Service, Orca Behavior, SeaWorld, Bloomberg Locations: Portuguese, Spain, Strait, Gibraltar, Mayotte, France

☆ Biden administration has canceled $66 billion in student debt. How to know if you qualify
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-14 | by ( Annie Nova | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +6 min

Still, advocates are worried about the administration's plan to soon resume federal student loan payments, which have been suspended since March 2020, without deeper debt cancellation. Even before the Covid-19 pandemic, 1 in 4 student loan borrowers were in delinquency or default. Here's a breakdown of the debt relief already granted — and how to know if you qualify for it. Defrauded borrowers got $13 billion in reliefThe Biden administration has been focused on canceling the student debt of borrowers who say their colleges misled them. Betsy Mayotte president of The Institute of Student Loan AdvisorsThe Project on Predatory Lending at Harvard University has a list of some of the institutions that were part of a student loan cancellation settlement.

☆ 4 strategies for avoiding taking on too much student debt in college
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-01 | by ( Annie Nova | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

Steve Prezant | The Image Bank | Getty Imageswatch nowHere are four strategies high school seniors, and their families, can consider to avoid ending up deep in debt. "To reduce student loan debt, enroll at a less expensive college," Kantrowitz said, adding that public colleges often "provide just as good a quality of education." Families can continue saving in a 529 plan while their child is enrolled in college, Kantrowitz said. Meanwhile, more than $6 billion in scholarships are awarded to college students each year, according to Kantrowitz. According to calculations by Kantrowitz, around 1 in 8 college students has won a scholarship.

☆ After being on pause for more than 3 years, student loan payments are expected to resume soon
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-28 | by ( Annie Nova | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Three companies that serviced federal student loans — Navient , the Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency (also known as FedLoan) and Granite State — all said they'd be ending their relationship with the government. Impacted borrowers should get multiple notices, said Scott Buchanan, executive director of the Student Loan Servicing Alliance, a trade group for federal student loan servicers. But if you can afford it, the standard repayment plan is just 10 years. To calculate how much your monthly bill would be under different plans, use one of the calculators at Studentaid.gov or Freestudentloanadvice.org, said Betsy Mayotte, president of The Institute of Student Loan Advisors, a nonprofit. If you do decide to change your repayment plan, Mayotte recommends submitting that application with your servicer before payments turn back on.

☆ How borrowers can keep their student loan payments on hold once bills resume
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-29 | by ( Annie Nova | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

watch nowThe Education Department in November said student bills would resume 60 days after the litigation over its student loan forgiveness plan resolves. If you're unemployed when student loan payments resume, you can request an unemployment deferment with your servicer. The maximum time you can use an unemployment or hardship deferment is usually three years per type. Forbearances also keep bills on holdStudent loan borrowers who don't qualify for a deferment may request a forbearance. Kantrowitz provided an example: A $30,000 student loan with a 5% interest rate would increase by $1,500 a year under a forbearance.

☆ Follow this rule of thumb to avoid taking on too much student debt, college experts say
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-24 | by ( Annie Nova | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

As students weigh where to attend, making sure they won't borrow too much is key, experts say. The consequences of taking on too much student debt can be severe. "You may also have to take a job that pays better as opposed to the job that matches your career goals." Kantrowitz found in his research that under a third of student loan borrowers who took out $20,000 or less were stressed by their debt, compared with over 60% of those who'd taken out $100,000 or more. "If your total student loan debt at graduation is less than your annual starting salary, you should be able to repay your loans in 10 years or less," he said.

☆ What student loan borrowers need to know about the 2023 tax season
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-21 | by ( Annie Nova | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Prostock-studio | Istock | Getty ImagesYou probably can't claim a student loan interest deductionBefore the Covid pandemic, nearly 13 million taxpayers took advantage of the student loan interest deduction, which allows borrowers to deduct up to $2,500 a year in interest payments they've made on their private or federal student loans. "You can claim the student loan interest deduction based only on amounts actually paid," Kantrowitz said. The break is only for payments to interest, Kantrowitz said, and interest has been suspended now for years. The best way to determine if you have potential interest to claim is to contact your loan servicer, said Betsy Mayotte, president of The Institute of Student Loan Advisors. Your lender reports your interest payments over a certain amount to the IRS on a tax form called a 1098-E, and should provide you with a copy, too.

☆ Boat capsizes off Madagascar on way to Mayotte, 22 killed
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-12 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: 1 min

ANTANANARIVO, March 12 (Reuters) - Twenty two people died when a boat carrying them off Madagascar capsized while they attempted to sail to the French island of Mayotte, Madagascar's port authority said on Sunday. The boat, which was carrying 47 people, capsized on Saturday in the seas off Ankazomborona in the north of Madagascar, the Maritime and River Port Agency said in a statement. The agency said the boat had suffered an accident, after which 23 of those on board were saved, while 22 bodies had been found. A police officer who did not wish to be named said most of those who had been rescued had fled to avoid being apprehended for attempting to travel to Mayotte. Reporting by Lovasoa Rabary; Writing by George Obulutsa; Editing by David HolmesOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

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