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☆ Education Department to reduce 'red tape' on public service loan forgiveness, making it easier for borrowers to qualify
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-25 | by ( Jessica Dickler | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

watch nowThe Biden administration announced Tuesday it is making permanent changes to its public service loan forgiveness plan to make it easier for borrowers to have their loans forgiven. "Our team has worked to turn public service loan forgiveness from a promise broken into a promise kept," U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona said during a press call about the changes. However, from the start, the path to forgiveness has been plagued with problems, making it hard to get relief. Those may include partial, late or lump sum payments, payments made under a different repayment plan and credit for periods in deferment and forbearance. If you have either a Federal Family Education Loan (FFEL) or a Federal Perkins Loan, you now have until July 2023 to consolidate your loans into direct loans with your servicer.

☆ It's about to get easier for government and nonprofit workers with student debt to get loan forgiveness even though the waiver expires in 6 days. Here's what you need to know.
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-25 | by ( Ayelet Sheffey | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

The Education Department announced permanent fixes to PSLF after the waiver expires on Oct. 31. President Joe Biden's Education Department announced temporary reforms in October 2021 to the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program, which intends to forgive student debt for government and nonprofit workers after ten years of qualifying payments. Well instead, today we are announcing permanent changes to reduce the red tape and the confusing rules that riddle the PSLF program. How these changes will work with the PSLF waiverBorrowers who apply for the PSLF waiver by the October 31 deadline will have their payments credited under the waiver. Along with these changes, the department still recommends borrowers take advantage of the PSLF waiver before it expires by checking their eligibility here.

☆ Biden's Education Department just announced permanent steps to bring student-loan borrowers in targeted forgiveness programs closer to debt relief
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-25 | by ( Ayelet Sheffey | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

The Education Department announced permanent fixes to the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program. This comes just days before the PSLF waiver expires on October 31 and isn't being extended. Nearly one year ago, the Education Department announced reforms to the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program, which is intended to forgive student debt for government and nonprofit workers after ten years of qualifying payments. "Today, we're encouraging public service workers to take advantage of the program's temporary changes before the deadline on October 31," Education Secretary Miguel Cardona said in a statement. Although the PSLF waiver is soon expiring, the account adjustment will give borrowers one more chance to get their payment counts corrected.

☆ Test scores dropped to lowest levels in decades during pandemic, according to nationwide exam
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-24 | by ( The Associated Press | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +7 min

Across the country, math scores saw their largest decreases ever. But while reading scores dipped, math scores plummeted by the largest margins in the history of the NAEP test, which began in 1969. Every region saw test scores slide, and every state saw declines in at least one subject. Several major districts saw test scores fall by more than 10 points. In fourth grade, Black and Hispanic students saw bigger decreases than white students, widening gaps that have persisted for decades.

☆ US math skills suffered their biggest-ever setback during COVID, with just 26% of 8th graders meeting the mark
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-24 | by ( Ayelet Sheffey | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Results from the Nation's Report Card found drastic declines in math scores for fourth and eight graders. Just 26% of eight graders are proficient in math, down from 34% in 2019. Cardona said that while the pandemic is partly to blame, years of disinvestment in education is a major factor. The results were stark — math scores for eighth graders dropped in nearly every state, with just 26% of them proficient in the subject, down from 34% in 2019. For fourth graders, the average math score fell by five points, and reading scores for both grades fell by three points.

☆ U.S. student test results document pandemic's toll on learning
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-24 | by ( Rami Ayyub | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Register now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.com RegisterIn reading, scores declined for most jurisdictions, though the decreases were not as dramatic as those in math. Eighth-graders' math proficiency scores dropped by seven percentage points compared with 2019, results showed. The test is considered to be the first comprehensive, nationwide account of student performance since the onset of the pandemic. Biden's education secretary, Miguel Cardona, described the test results as "appalling" but said they were a call for action. Among fourth graders, white students saw a three-point decrease in math, while Black and Hispanic students each saw decreases of seven points, the results showed.

☆ Biden can't cancel your student debt right now, but you can keep applying for the relief. Here's what you need to know.
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-24 | by ( Ayelet Sheffey | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

This means Biden cannot discharge any student loans until a final decision on the legality of the relief is made. The administration recommends borrowers continue applying for relief during this period. "Amidst Republicans' efforts to block our debt relief program, we are moving full speed ahead to be ready to deliver relief to borrowers who need the help." "As we continue our preparations in compliance with this order, we continue to encourage working- and middle-class Americans to apply for debt relief at studentaid.gov. While this is the first case to succeed in temporarily halting the plan, it's by no means the first attempt to challenge Biden's debt relief.

☆ You should still apply for student loan forgiveness even while it's on hold
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-24 | by ( Kamaron Mcnair | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

Late last week, a federal appeals court officially halted President Biden's student debt forgiveness. The plaintiffs argue the debt forgiveness would lead to a loss in tax revenue, causing economic harm to their states. Borrowers should apply for debt forgiveness as soon as possible, experts have previously told Make It. Back in August, the Biden Administration announced it was making good on its campaign promise to provide some relief to student loan borrowers. Check out:Borrowers react to student loan forgiveness: 'A huge weight has been lifted off of my shoulders'Over 700,000 borrowers no longer qualify for student loan relief—how to check if you're still eligibleStudent debt experts say $10,000 isn't enough specifically for Black borrowers—here's whySign up now: Get smarter about your money and career with our weekly newsletter

☆ Democratic lawmakers slam GOP attempts to block Biden's student-loan forgiveness: 'They think they're better than you and don't care if they ruin your life'
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-24 | by ( Ayelet Sheffey | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

An appeals court placed a temporary stay on Biden's student-loan forgiveness on Friday. For now, borrowers can still keep applying until the court makes a final decision on the legality of the plan. But it has Democratic lawmakers frustrated at the mounting attempts to keep debt cancellation from reaching borrowers. And Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer wrote on Twitter on Friday that "Republicans are using every trick they can to block President Biden's student debt relief action." While Republican lawmakers say they will continue to support challenges to Biden's debt relief, it's unclear at this point whether any of the lawsuits will prevail.

☆ Student debt relief 'moving full speed ahead' despite GOP-led lawsuits, education secretary says
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-23 | by ( Summer Concepcion | Summer Concepcion Is A Politics Reporter For Nbc News. | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +3 min

Education Secretary Miguel Cardona has said that the Biden administration is "moving full speed ahead" on preparations for the implementation of its student debt forgiveness program, a day after a federal appeals court hit pause on the administration's efforts. Cardona said in a video posted Saturday that the administration is “not deterred” by lawsuits attempting to block its relief program. In an op-ed published Saturday in USA Today, Cardona said the Education Department is “moving full speed ahead with preparations for the lawful implementation” of the program. “This program will help borrowers by providing relief following the economic disruptions caused by the pandemic." In response to the appeals court ruling Friday, White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre emphasized that the appeals court ruling does not prevent borrowers from submitting applications for loan forgiveness.

☆ Education Secretary Miguel Cardona says the department is 'moving full speed ahead' to implement student debt relief despite an appeals court temporarily blocking the plan
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-23 | by ( John L. Dorman | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

Miguel Cardona says student debt relief is "moving full speed" despite a temporary hold on the plan. The Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals on Friday issued an administrative stay for the relief plan. "Already, 22 million people have provided the department with the necessary information we need to review their eligibility for student debt relief." In framing the debt relief plan as one that would benefit working and middle-class families, Cardona criticized efforts by several Republican attorneys general to invalidate Biden's student-loan forgiveness plan. The Biden administration also faces legal challenges from Arizona GOP Attorney General Mark Brnovich, the Job Creators Network Foundation, and the Cato Institute over its debt relief plan.

☆ 4 key things student-loan borrowers should watch out for after applying for Biden's debt cancellation
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-23 | by ( Ayelet Sheffey | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Student-loan borrowers can now officially apply for up to $20,000 in debt cancellation. But after submitting the form, borrowers should keep track of follow-up notices from the Education Department. The Education Department will take it from there, notifying borrowers if it requires any additional documentation to ensure the applicant's income is under the $125,000 threshold. "Bringing student loan debt relief to folks that need it most as they recover from the pandemic and prepare to restart loan payments keeps that commitment." Your loan servicer will apply the debt relief to your account.

☆ The decider: Jill Biden’s unparalleled influence and impact on the president
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-21 | by ( Peter Nicholas | Https | Media-Cldnry.S-Nbcnews.Com Image Upload Newscms Carol-Lee-Circle-Byline-Template.Jpg | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +17 min

WASHINGTON — Whenever his aides are pressed about President Joe Biden’s political future, they’ll often point to one person as the true decider: his wife of 45 years, Jill Biden. Eager to introduce herself to Gina McCarthy, then the president’s chief climate adviser, she gathered some flowers from a White House garden and brought them to her office, according to White House aides. When the realization of her new security restrictions sunk in, Jill Biden told her staff she didn’t want to become isolated. Journeys outside the protective cocoon of the White House expose her to the vitriol coursing through the nation’s politics. “I don’t pay attention because I just don’t want to hear it,” Jill Biden said.

☆ Creaking chains a reminder of slavery in New York art exhibit
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-21 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: 1 min

NEW YORK, Oct 21 (Reuters) - A new art installation that visitors can walk through on New York's Governors Island features giant chain links grinding overhead, pointing to the legacy of slavery in the United States. Artist Charles Gaines says he wanted to create a piece - which faces the Statue of Liberty and is roughly 100 feet (30.5 meters) long that reflected the sounds and history of the Mississippi River. "The Mississippi River - which is the place that you talk about the history of American commerce, but also we can talk about the history of slavery," said Gaines. Register now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.com RegisterReporting by Shannon Stapleton and Maria Alejandra CardonaOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ Biden administration could start forgiving student debt as soon as Oct. 23
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-21 | by ( Annie Nova | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

The Biden administration could start discharging millions of Americans' student debt as soon as this Sunday, Oct. 23. This is possible as some of the legal challenges brought against the sweeping policy by critics fail in courts. A taxpayers' group in Wisconsin earlier this week requested that the U.S. Supreme Court immediately block Biden's plan to cancel up to $20,000 in federal student debt for borrowers, but the court refused to do so. Judge Henry E. Autrey of the Federal District Court in St. Louis said the states did not have sufficient standing to sue. Although there are a number of other legal challenges to the president's plan outstanding, the Biden administration is moving forward with its plan to cancel student debt.

☆ Mississippi State football player is dead at 18
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-20 | by ( Claire Cardona | Claire Cardona Is A Breaking News Editor For Nbc News Digital Based In Texas. | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +2 min

A Mississippi State University student and offensive lineman died Wednesday, the school said in a statement. Samuel Westmoreland of Tupelo, Mississippi, was a freshman majoring in industrial technology, the school said in a statement. Head football coach Mike Leach and athletics director John Cohen said they were heartbroken. Westmoreland was a graduate of Tupelo High School, where he played football. In a statement the Tupelo School District shared Wednesday on Twitter, the high school's football coach said Westmoreland was a leader who was voted a team captain his senior year.

☆ If you want to opt out of Biden's student-loan forgiveness, you have less than a month to do so. Here's how.
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-18 | by ( Ayelet Sheffey | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

The Education Department is notifying borrowers who are automatically eligible for debt relief. Around 8 million borrowers will receive that notice, but some of them might choose to opt out. On Monday, President Joe Biden and Education Secretary Miguel Cardona officially launched the application site for student-loan forgiveness. Here's how you would do that, according to Federal Student Aid:Determine who your student-loan servicer is by logging into studentaid.gov, selecting "My Aid," and then selecting "View loan servicer details." Contact your servicer by phone or email and tell them you do not want to receive federal student-loan relief.

☆ Biden's Education Department is notifying 8 million student-loan borrowers that they do not need to apply for debt cancellation and their relief will be automatically processed
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-18 | by ( Ayelet Sheffey | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

The Education Department is notifying around 8 million borrowers automatically eligible for relief. Those borrowers will not need to apply, but those who want to opt out must do so by November 14. Those eligible for automatic relief can also choose to submit a form if they want it processed sooner. The Washington Post first reported on Tuesday that the Education Department has started notifying those borrowers that they are eligible to have their loans wiped out automatically. Failure to do so means the relief will be processed for the borrowers after that deadline.

☆ How to find out your new monthly student-loan payment after applying for Biden's debt cancellation
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-18 | by ( Ayelet Sheffey | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

But he emphasized that borrowers with remaining balances still have to resume payments next year. Once borrowers apply, their student-loan company should notify them of their new monthly payments. But Biden also reminded borrowers that the student-loan payment pause is not going to last forever. "In relieving student debt, we're also resuming a student loan program that we paused during the pandemic," Biden said during his Monday remarks. If you have a remaining balance, your loan company will let you know what your new monthly payment will be once payments resume in January.

☆ Koch-backed think tank is suing Biden's student-loan forgiveness, arguing it undermines their hiring efforts by relieving debt for public servants
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-18 | by ( Ayelet Sheffey | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Koch-backed Cato Institute just filed a lawsuit seeking to block Biden's student-loan forgiveness. The think tank said that the relief will hurt their hiring efforts by undermining public servant loan forgivenessThis is at least the sixth major conservative lawsuit filed attempting to block debt cancellation. As a nonprofit organization, Cato's case claims that canceling student debt broadly for federal borrowers would remove the appeal of PSLF and stunt recruiting efforts. Biden and his administration remain adamant they have the standing to carry out this debt relief. The administration has not yet commented on Cato's suit and recommends borrowers continue to apply for debt relief before payments resume early next year.

☆ Biden administration officially opens application for student debt cancelation
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-17 | by ( Https | Media-Cldnry.S-Nbcnews.Com Image Upload Newscms Lauren-Egan-Circle-Byline-Template.Jpg | Lauren Egan | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +2 min

WASHINGTON — President Joe Biden announced Monday that the online application to receive student debt cancelation is now available. In a speech at the White House, Biden said that it takes less than five minutes to fill out the form. President Joe Biden speaks about the student debt relief portal beta test in Washington on Oct. 17, 2022. Brendan Smialowski / AFP - Getty ImagesAfter promising for months to take action on student debt, Biden announced in August that he would cancel up to $10,000 for many borrowers who earned less than $125,000 in the 2020 or 2021 tax years. The Biden administration is also facing several legal challenges to its student debt relief plan, which threaten to delay or derail its efforts.

☆ 8 million student-loan borrowers have already applied for debt cancellation 'without a glitch,' Biden says
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-17 | by ( Ayelet Sheffey | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Biden officially launched the student-loan forgiveness application website. He said 8 million borrowers had applied during the beta testing period "without a glitch." During his remarks, Biden noted that over 8 million borrowers applied over the weekend "without a glitch or any difficulty." "It means more than 8 million Americans are starting this week on their way to receiving life changing relief," Biden said. The department recommends applying before mid-November to ensure relief hits borrowers' accounts before payments resume in January 2023.

☆ Las Vegas police catch inmate who escaped prison while serving life for fatal bombing
▼ + stars: | 2022-09-29 | by ( Chantal Da Silva | Claire Cardona | Chantal Da Silva Is A Breaking News Editor For Nbc News Digital Based In London. | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +2 min

Las Vegas police have apprehended a man who escaped prison earlier this week while serving a life sentence for a deadly 2007 explosion outside a Las Vegas Strip resort. Duarte-Herrera escaped from the Southern Desert Correctional Center in Indian Springs and was discovered missing during the 7 a.m. count Tuesday, according to the Nevada Corrections Department. They had warned anyone who spotted him not to approach the escaped inmate and to call 911 immediately. He said he had ordered the Corrections Department to launch a thorough investigation into what happened. Rueda-Denvers, 47, remains behind bars at a separate state prison, according to Corrections Department records.

Storm surge map, they didn’t have a color for 12 to 15 feet," he said about the historic levels of storm surge expected near where Ian is expected to make landfall. Share this -Link copiedA view of Hurricane Ian from the International Space Station A view of Hurricane Ian from the International Space Station, on Monday. “We are extremely concerned about the potential impacts Hurricane Ian may have on phosphate facilities around the state,” Whitlock added. Share this -Link copiedIan strengthens into Category 4 storm Hurricane Ian has strengthened into a Category 4 storm as it advances upon Florida's west coast. Share this -Link copiedSatellite images show Hurricane Ian approaching Florida Hurricane Ian over the Gulf of Mexico early Wednesday.

Share this -Link copiedView of Hurricane Ian from International Space Station View of Hurricane Ian from the International Space Station. Share this -Link copiedIan on track to make landfall in Florida as 'catastrophic' Category 4 storm Hurricane Ian is strengthening as it nears Florida's west coast, officials said. “We are extremely concerned about the potential impacts Hurricane Ian may have on phosphate facilities around the state,” Whitlock added. Share this -Link copiedIan strengthens into Category 4 storm Hurricane Ian has strengthened into a Category 4 storm as it advances upon Florida's west coast. Share this -Link copiedSatellite images show Hurricane Ian approaching Florida Hurricane Ian over the Gulf of Mexico early on Wednesday morning.

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