Latest Education costs News

Billionaire rains cash on UMass graduates to tune of $1,000 each, but says they must give half away

May. 20, 2024 17:33 PM EDT

MEREDITH, N.H. (AP) — The clouds weren't alone in making it rain on the commencement ceremony at the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth last week. On stage, billionaire philanthropist Rob Hale surprised the graduating class of more than 1,000 by pointing to a nearby truck holding envelopes...

Push to enforce occupancy rule in College Station highlights Texas A&M students’ housing woes

May. 20, 2024 12:59 PM EDT

COLLEGE STATION, Texas (AP) — For three years in college, Texas A&M University student Ethan Tan lived in houses near campus with six roommates, each of them paying about $400 a month in rent. Tan, a graduating senior, said that low cost saved him from having to take out more loans and pick...

West Virginia governor calls special session for school funding amid FAFSA issues, other proposals

May. 17, 2024 16:51 PM EDT

CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) — West Virginia Gov. Jim Justice is calling state lawmakers back to the Capitol to consider an $80 million allocation to the state’s colleges and universities to help students pay for school amid the ongoing federal financial aid crisis, among other proposals. ...

Former Connecticut budget official arrested, pleads not guilty to bribery and extortion charges

May. 16, 2024 19:44 PM EDT

HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) — A former top official in Connecticut Gov. Ned Lamont's budget office allegedly extorted private contractors into paying him thousands of dollars in bribes as he oversaw large blocks of state money for school construction projects, federal authorities said Thursday. ...

Repeal of a dead law to use public funds for private school tuition won't be on Nebraska's ballot

May. 16, 2024 19:23 PM EDT

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — A measure to repeal a now-defunct law passed last year that would use public money to fund private school tuition has been pulled from Nebraska’s November ballot, the secretary of state announced Thursday. Nebraska Secretary of State Bob Evnen said he's pulling...

Editorial Roundup: Michigan

May. 13, 2024 16:59 PM EDT

Detroit News. May 11, 2024. Editorial: Keep state budget focused on common sense Counterproposals from the Democratic-controlled Legislature include pragmatic improvements to Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s original budget proposal. The focus of negotiations over the $80.9...

Vermont Legislature adjourns session focused on property taxes, housing, climate change

May. 11, 2024 10:09 AM EDT

MONTPELIER, Vt. (AP) — The Vermont Legislature adjourned early Saturday, ending a session focused on housing, climate change and addressing soaring property taxes. Republican Gov. Phil Scott is expected to veto a number of the Democrat-controlled legislature's bills as the two...

Virginia budget leaders reach compromise with governor on state spending plan

May. 10, 2024 14:29 PM EDT

RICHMOND, Va. (AP) — Virginia budget negotiators and Gov. Glenn Youngkin have reached a compromise on the next two-year state spending plan that would include 3% raises for state employees and teachers while not raising taxes and risking a potential veto by Youngkin. House...

Mississippi governor signs law to set a new funding formula for public schools

May. 09, 2024 17:58 PM EDT

JACKSON, Miss. (AP) — Mississippi Gov. Tate Reeves has signed legislation that will change the way the state pays for public schools, ditching a formula that brought political pressure on lawmakers because they usually budgeted less money than required. Republican Reeves signed the...

Missouri's GOP Gov. Mike Parson signs law expanding voucher-like K-12 scholarships

May. 08, 2024 14:22 PM EDT

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) — K-12 students from low-income families across Missouri soon will have access to private school scholarships under legislation signed Tuesday by Republican Gov. Mike Parson. The voucher-like scholarship program, which takes effect Aug. 28, will offer as...