1 in 3 USHE students received a Pell Grant during the 2015-16 academic year

Pell Grants: An Overview The Federal Pell Grant Program provides need-based grants to low-income undergraduate and certain post-graduate students to promote access to higher education. A Pell Grant, unlike a loan, does not need to be repaid, and can be used at any one of approximately 5,400 participating postsecondary institutions nationwide. Grant amounts are dependent… Continue Reading 1 in 3 USHE students received a Pell Grant during the 2015-16 academic year

Utah Educational Savings Plan and StepUp to Higher Education launch 2016 “Make Your Mark” bookmark contest

The Utah Educational Savings Plan (UESP) and StepUp to Higher Education will launch their annual “Make Your Mark” Bookmark Contest starting September 1. Utah students kindergarten through 12th grade can create an original bookmark for the contest. If their artwork is selected, they are eligible to win a $1,000 college savings scholarship account from UESP. The… Continue Reading Utah Educational Savings Plan and StepUp to Higher Education launch 2016 “Make Your Mark” bookmark contest

USHE Institutions go back to school

Universities and colleges within the Utah System of Higher Education (USHE) have started their fall semester, or will be shortly. Each institution offers a variety of back-to-school events for returning and new students. University of Utah The University of Utah kicked-off their Welcome Week last week, which included a parent and family luau, a new… Continue Reading USHE Institutions go back to school

Student default rates in Utah

In Utah, only half of Utah college students graduate with student loan debt compared to seven in ten nationally, and the debt they do graduate with is much lower than the national average. Student debt Utah has the lowest average student debt in the country at $18,921, which is significantly less than the national average… Continue Reading Student default rates in Utah

2016 StepUp to Higher Education College Guide to be distributed to 85,000 Utah students

StepUp to Higher Education, an outreach initiative of the Utah System of Higher Education, recently completed the 2016 College Guide. This guide—the fifth StepUp has done—will be distributed to Utah high school students through the High School Tour, where representatives from all nonprofit colleges and universities in Utah go to Utah high schools to educate these students… Continue Reading 2016 StepUp to Higher Education College Guide to be distributed to 85,000 Utah students

Chronicle of Higher Education releases 2016 Data Almanac

The Chronicle of Higher Education recently published its 2016 Almanac of higher education data. The almanac includes national and state level data in areas including student enrollment, student debt, salaries and research. Here is a sampling of data from the almanac pertaining to Utah institutions. Utah State University ranks third for growth between 2004-2014 among… Continue Reading Chronicle of Higher Education releases 2016 Data Almanac

1 in 5 undergrads don’t apply for financial aid because they believe they won’t qualify or don’t need it

According to a new report from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), 1 in 5 college undergraduates don’t apply for financial aid because they believe they would not qualify, or they think they can afford school and don’t want debt. The NCES report was based on data from the 2011-12 National Postsecondary Student Aid Study (NPSAS),… Continue Reading 1 in 5 undergrads don’t apply for financial aid because they believe they won’t qualify or don’t need it