Student financial aid in the United States

Central Michigan University Selects Regent Education to Elevate the Student Experience Through Automated Financial Aid

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, November 8, 2023

FREDERICK, Md., Nov. 8, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Regent Education, a leader in SaaS-based financial aid and scholarship management solutions, announced today that Central Michigan University (CMU, www.cmich.edu) selected the Regent Award Suite to help the university take student experiences to a new level through financial aid automation. The new solution will enable the university to streamline financial aid processes and meet students where they are in their journey. 

Key Points: 
  • FREDERICK, Md., Nov. 8, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Regent Education, a leader in SaaS-based financial aid and scholarship management solutions, announced today that Central Michigan University (CMU, www.cmich.edu ) selected the Regent Award Suite to help the university take student experiences to a new level through financial aid automation.
  • The new solution will enable the university to streamline financial aid processes and meet students where they are in their journey.
  • Improving the student experience is a top priority for Central Michigan University.
  • "Central Michigan University's dedication to automating the financial aid lifecycle and communicating with students in ways that are familiar to them will not only meet student expectations, but also drive efficiency in financial aid processes, too," said Jim Hermens, CEO, Regent Education.

The Inner Circle Acknowledges, Shannon Yerkic as a Pinnacle Life Member for his contributions to the fields of Education and Health and Wellness

Retrieved on: 
Friday, September 1, 2023

HIALEAH, Fla., Sept. 1, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Prominently featured in The Inner Circle, Shannon Yerkic is acknowledged as a Pinnacle Life Member for his contributions to the fields of Education and Health and Wellness.

Key Points: 
  • HIALEAH, Fla., Sept. 1, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Prominently featured in The Inner Circle, Shannon Yerkic is acknowledged as a Pinnacle Life Member for his contributions to the fields of Education and Health and Wellness.
  • Mr. Yerkic pursued higher education at Valdosta State University where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Political Science.
  • Mr. Yerkic moved to LightPoint Consulting & Training in Alpharetta, GA in March of 2008 where he was Vice President of Sales and Marketing until March 2010.
  • For more information on Mr. Yerkic, please visit his website a

“No Strings Attached” Financial Aid from HEERF III Shows 11.2% Boost in Graduation Rates for Low-Income Students

Retrieved on: 
Monday, July 31, 2023

Across all eligible students, the allocation is equivalent to $523 for each student in this “intent-to-treat group.”

Key Points: 
  • Across all eligible students, the allocation is equivalent to $523 for each student in this “intent-to-treat group.”
    Key findings from the research revealed:
    Emergency aid reached students with significant financial constraints.
  • Among all HEERF III recipients, 30% reported a household income of less than $35,000, and 43% were first-generation college students.
  • “Through the distribution of the HEERF III funds, WGU has demonstrated that unrestricted financial aid can both relieve financially constrained students and increase graduation rates.
  • This highlights the crucial role of financial aid in supporting students and ensuring their success in higher education,” said Bob Collins, Vice President of Financial Aid at WGU.

Vassar Makes Test-Optional Policy Permanent for Applicants

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, April 13, 2023

The decision, made in consultation with the College's Committee on Admission and Financial Aid (CAFA), makes permanent a pilot policy waiving the test score requirement that has been in effect since the 2020-2021 application cycle.

Key Points: 
  • The decision, made in consultation with the College's Committee on Admission and Financial Aid (CAFA), makes permanent a pilot policy waiving the test score requirement that has been in effect since the 2020-2021 application cycle.
  • The Office of Institutional Research found that for Vassar students, standardized testing was not a significant predictor of four-year graduation rates, but high school GPAs were significant predictors.
  • Smith said she was grateful to the members of CAFA for their thoughtful approach to the issue and their deep sense of care for Vassar's applicants and students.
  • By going test optional, it sends a clear message to prospective applicants that we believe that they are smart, capable, and worthy regardless of whether they are a talented test taker."

New college network builds support for students in rural and small-town America

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, April 4, 2023

The STARS College Network (Small Town And Rural Students) will build on efforts to create new pathways to college for students who might not otherwise recognize the full range of educational opportunities available to them.

Key Points: 
  • The STARS College Network (Small Town And Rural Students) will build on efforts to create new pathways to college for students who might not otherwise recognize the full range of educational opportunities available to them.
  • STARS Network members will also build upon existing programs that help provide a support network for students from small towns and rural areas once they have enrolled — the kind of support many colleges already provide for students from different backgrounds.
  • “College access initiatives, ongoing support programs and meaningful scholarships must work hand in hand to support underrepresented students all the way from high school to college graduation,” said Davis.
  • An estimated one-third of students from rural and small-town America are people of color.

Kristina Wong Davis Named Vice Provost for Enrollment Management of Carnegie Mellon University

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, March 16, 2023

PITTSBURGH, March 16, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Following a comprehensive national search, Carnegie Mellon University has named Kristina Wong Davis, former vice provost for enrollment management at Purdue University, to be its inaugural vice provost for enrollment management.

Key Points: 
  • PITTSBURGH, March 16, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Following a comprehensive national search, Carnegie Mellon University has named Kristina Wong Davis, former vice provost for enrollment management at Purdue University, to be its inaugural vice provost for enrollment management.
  • At Purdue, Wong Davis served as chief enrollment officer, providing leadership and oversight to the Office of Admissions, Office of the Registrar, Division of Financial Aid, Enrollment Management Analysis and Reporting, and Enrollment Management Strategic Communications and Initiatives.
  • She led and managed all areas of enrollment management working across the campus to strategically plan and execute critical enrollment objectives.
  • As the inaugural vice provost for enrollment management, Wong Davis will report to the provost and chief academic officer and oversee the integration of the offices of Admission and Enrollment Services.

Leadership Enterprise for a Diverse America (LEDA) Launches LEDA Legal to Increase Access for Underserved Students to Leading Law Schools

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, February 7, 2023

Leadership Enterprise for a Diverse America (LEDA), the preeminent national nonprofit promoting diversification of top-tier universities, businesses and civic organizations, today announced the launch of LEDA Legal, a program designed to expand the pipeline of underrepresented, low-income students attending top-tier law schools nationwide.

Key Points: 
  • Leadership Enterprise for a Diverse America (LEDA), the preeminent national nonprofit promoting diversification of top-tier universities, businesses and civic organizations, today announced the launch of LEDA Legal, a program designed to expand the pipeline of underrepresented, low-income students attending top-tier law schools nationwide.
  • The program aims to help high-achieving participants explore legal careers, navigate the application process, and ultimately gain admission to the best law schools in the nation.
  • “I’m delighted that we are a founding law school partner of LEDA Legal,” said NYU Law Dean Troy McKenzie.
  • NYU Law School, Harvard Law School and Yale Law School will lead workshops and academic- and career-focused panels for the cohort throughout the eight-month program.

Meadow Raises $3.5M to Simplify How Students Pay for College

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, February 1, 2023

NEW YORK, Feb. 1, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Meadow today announced a $3.5M seed round to build a modern student financial services platform for universities that combines billing, payments, and financial engagement into a streamlined and consumer-friendly experience for students.

Key Points: 
  • Meadow powers modern student financial services for universities that clarify and simplify the financial experience.
  • The number of students earning college degrees in the US has been declining for the past decade and financial barriers are the number one reason.
  • Students now juggle up to 20 different sources of funding, leading to confusion and frustration about what, when, and how to pay for college.
  • On average, students uncover a 30% discount from the sticker price listed on the university website to the net price estimated through Meadow.

Ascent Funding Launches Incentive Encouraging College Students to Consider an Ascent Loan

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, July 22, 2021

The first 1,000 students who visit AscentFunding.com/Switch and apply for an Ascent college loan before August 31, 2021 are eligible to earn a $100 VISA gift card when their loan is funded.

Key Points: 
  • The first 1,000 students who visit AscentFunding.com/Switch and apply for an Ascent college loan before August 31, 2021 are eligible to earn a $100 VISA gift card when their loan is funded.
  • To qualify, students must have an existing private student loan from another lender.
  • "We encourage students to submit the FAFSA annually, apply for scholarships, and consider all their financial options before they take out an Ascent loan."
  • Ascent Funding, the leading outcomes-focused company committed to student success, revolutionizes how students pay for higher education at more than 2,600 traditional schools and coding bootcamps.

Nearly 1 in 3 Americans Struggle to Fill Out FAFSA, Debt.com Survey Finds

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, June 22, 2021

The biggest challenge, 44 percent said, was not knowing all the financial information FAFSA asked for.

Key Points: 
  • The biggest challenge, 44 percent said, was not knowing all the financial information FAFSA asked for.
  • The second-biggest challenge was not having any help filling it out, 28 percent said.
  • The majority of student loans are federal loans, which means filling out FAFSA is how most students can afford college.
  • "If you go into it without all the information you need, you could be leaving free money on the table."