Sep 13, 2007

Thursday, September 13 , 2007 California Students Get Relief, 2007-2008 State Budget Passed By Amit Agarwal An impasse blocking the approval of the 2007-2008 California state budget that provoked widespread discontentment among students and parents was finally resolved on August 24. Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger approved the state budget after a 52-day deadlock, enabling students to access state grants just as their fall semesters began. The budget released almost $11 million in grants to San Francisco State University (SFSU) students a few days before they started their classes, providing relief to those who depend on Cal Grants for their housing, textbook, and transportation needs. For the University of California, the final budget allocated $3.27 billion (reflecting a 6.4% increase in funding from the previous year) for the fiscal year that began July 1.  read more HEWI Reports Numerous Schools Offer No Choice of Lenders to Students By Shaileja Mammen A large number of colleges and universities participating in the Family Federal Education Loan Program reportedly offer no choice of lenders to their students. According to a document obtained by Higher Education Washington, Inc., (HEWI) from the Department of Education, about 300 (32.5%) of the schools regarding which HEWI received information have 100% of their loan volume with just one lender. A document containing a list of 921 colleges and universities was handed over to HEWI in response to a federal Freedom of Information Act request. The colleges and universities on the list have at least 80% of their loan volume with one lender.  read more Arkansas governor announces need-based grant program Arkansas Governor Mike Beebe has announced a new grant program for the state's high school graduates. A need-based program, the GO! Opportunities Grant Program will provide up to $1,000 per year to Arkansas students pursuing full-time college education. Eligible students attending college part-time can receive $500 per year. Students receiving funding from the program are required to maintain 2.0 GPAs and must certify that they are drug-free. Students also must have been Arkansas residents for at least 12 months prior to applying to the program and must have graduated from Arkansas high schools or obtained their General Education Development (GED) degrees. IWU's financial aid office announces two new appointments Illinois Wesleyan University's financial aid office has named two of its employees to new positions. Lynn Nichelson, director of financial aid at Illinois Wesleyan University, will now serve as assistant dean of enrollment management. Scott Seibring, director of new student financial aid, will now serve as director of financial aid. Nichelson, who has been the school's director of financial aid since 1963, will continue to work on financial aid policy matters, research, and government regulations issues. Seibring, who has been with the university for 22 years, has worked in its financial aid office for the past 13 years.  read more To ensure that the Graduate School Loans Newswire is delivered to your Inbox, please add registration@graduateschoolloans.com to your address book. © 2007 Graduate School Loans. All rights reserved. Office: 175 South Lake Avenue, Suite 200, Pasadena, CA 91101