In Trump’s Budget, Both Epic Betrayal And Mathematical Fraud
Aside from defense spending, the Trump budget violates nearly every programmatic promise he made to voters last year. And adding insult to real injuries, he pretends to fulfill his promise to balance the budget with fake numbers.
Not only are the numbers phony, but they represent the most audacious mathematical con game in a federal budget that anyone in Washington can remember. It is phonier than the phony budgets cooked up during the Reagan era, when the president’s own budget director eventually confessed, “None of us really understands what’s going on with all these numbers.”
What Free College Means Around The World
In a country where rising student debt grabs national headlines, efforts to make college “free” can also get attention. In truth, a large part of tuition costs are already subsidized in the U.S. through a combination of grants, tax breaks and loans. What causes waves is the ever-increasing sticker price, rather than what students actually pay.
50 Extreme Right-Wing Proposals From The 2016 GOP Platform
Before Trump turned the Republican nominating contest into a battle of boasts and bullying, right-wing extremists had dominated the party. Their platform, not surprisingly, goes even further to the right than what’s even been heard from Trump.
Gail MarksJarvis: It’s Tax Time — Here Are Some Notable Credits And Deductions
After a few congressional tweaks, it’s worth it to explore the credits and deductions you could be missing.
Ask Carrie: Should I Consolidate My Student Loans?
Consolidation is not a straightforward decision. You have to think beyond simplicity to how a new loan might affect your finances over time.
One Way States Can Help Student Loan Borrowers
Although the federal government dominates the student loan market, there’s much states can do to help borrowers who are struggling.
College Debt Can Be Especially Dumb For Parents
Parent education loans can help your child attend the college of her dreams — and sink any dreams you had of ever retiring.
The Student Debt Time Bomb
The cost of higher education is out of control — and college debtors are fighting back.
Obama Administration Rules Target For-Profit Colleges
Find out how the Obama administration is protecting vulnerable students.
Graduation Day And $300,000 In Debt
By Maura Lerner, Star Tribune (Minneapolis) MINNEAPOLIS — Ashley Hall remembers clicking “yes” on the loan application and, inexplicably, laughing. Maybe it’s because the number seemed so surreal. Or because no one else in her family had done this before. But there she was, borrowing nearly $75,000. For her first year of veterinary school at […]
Where’s The Bread And Butter?
WASHINGTON — What if they held an election and nobody talked about how to improve people’s lives? The 2014 campaign is being waged against a backdrop of national news dominated by everything except the core economic worries of most Americans. Benghazi and Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl have been getting more attention than job opportunities and student […]
Senate Refuses To Take Up Bill To Refinance Student Loans
By Stephanie Haven, McClatchy Washington Bureau WASHINGTON — Divided along mostly partisan lines, the Senate refused Wednesday to take up a Democrat-backed bill that would have enabled individuals to refinance existing student loans to the lower interest rate Congress approved last year for new borrowers. Among the roadblocks: Democrats proposed paying the $55.6 billion price for […]
Obama Signs Order To Cap Student Loan Payments At 10 Percent Of Income
By Christi Parsons, Tribune Washington Bureau WASHINGTON — President Barack Obama on Monday signed an executive order that lets millions of college graduates cap their student loan payments at 10 percent of their income, a move he says will help “open the doors of opportunity for all.” By amending student loan regulations to put the […]
As Parents Struggle To Repay College Loans For Their Children, Taxpayers Also Stand To Lose
by Marian Wang, ProPublica. Parents are increasingly struggling to repay federal loans they’ve taken out to help cover their children’s college costs, according to newly released federal data. The Parent Plus program allows parents to take out essentially uncapped amounts to cover college costs, regardless of the borrower’s income or ability to repay the loan. […]