FAFSA completion in Utah up 39% over last year
According to a new analysis, completion of the 2017-18 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) by eligible high school seniors has jumped an incredible 39% over last year. Source: http://website.education.wisc.edu/nwhillman/index.php/2017/06/09/october-to-june-high-school-fafsa-filing/ On average, FAFSA completions are up 10% across the country. These substantial increases could be attributed to the earlier filing timeline of the FAFSA for… Continue Reading FAFSA completion in Utah up 39% over last year
Year-round Pell grants available July 1
The US Department of Education (ED) recently announced higher education institutions can begin to award year-round Pell grants for students starting July 1, 2017. Before these changes, students could only receive Pell grants for their fall and spring semesters. The change reinstates what was briefly implemented in 2009 but pulled back in 2012 due to… Continue Reading Year-round Pell grants available July 1
UESP to cut fee, expand age brackets for age-based options, add mutual funds
Changes will reduce cost, improve flexibility and diversity in college savings investments The Utah Educational Savings Plan (UESP) announced today that it is lowering the Administrative Asset Fee for nine of 14 investment options, effective July 14, 2017. UESP is also expanding the number of age brackets in all of its popular age-based investment options… Continue Reading UESP to cut fee, expand age brackets for age-based options, add mutual funds
New national survey highlights perceptions of U.S. higher education
A newly released survey by New America, Varying Degrees: New America’s Annual Survey on Higher Education, surveys 1,600 individuals nationwide to better understand the perceptions of and knowledge about higher education and economic mobility. This survey provides insights into the opinions about higher education across generations, ethnicities and several other demographics. Some key findings emerge… Continue Reading New national survey highlights perceptions of U.S. higher education
Analysis: Half of USHE students receive gift aid – 1 in 5, tuition & fees are fully covered
Scholarships and grants play a significant role in how students pay for college. 54% of USHE students who enrolled in both fall and spring semesters in 2014-15 received some form of gift aid, averaging $4,680 per student—approximately 75% of the average tuition and fees at institutions in the Utah System of Higher Education for 2014-15.… Continue Reading Analysis: Half of USHE students receive gift aid – 1 in 5, tuition & fees are fully covered
CollegeCon 2017
CollegeCon 2017 is a free one-day conference that allows parents and students the opportunity to explore college possibilities through booths, keynote speeches, and small-group breakout sessions. This year’s event, held at Davis High School on March 18, drew over 1,400 attendees. Representatives from the Utah System of Higher Education attended the event. Hundreds of students… Continue Reading CollegeCon 2017
New pilot program to raise awareness of student debt
The Utah System of Higher Education worked with the 2017 Utah Legislature to adopt a new statewide program aimed at increasing awareness of student debt. Even though Utah students comparatively accrue the least amount of debt in the country, more awareness of student debt is needed. Some background on student debt in Utah: Utah has… Continue Reading New pilot program to raise awareness of student debt
Summary of the 2017 Legislative Session
The 2017 Legislative Session concluded on March 9, 2017. There were over 100 bills impacting public higher education during the 2017 Legislative Session on a variety of issues including mental health, student debt and student privacy. Commissioner Buhler will provide a more exhaustive report on the 2017 Session, including budgetary impacts, at the meeting of the… Continue Reading Summary of the 2017 Legislative Session
2017 Legislative Update – Week 4
Higher Education Luncheon Regents, Trustees, Presidents and student leaders gathered on Friday for the annual higher education luncheon in the Capitol Rotunda. Attended by over 75 legislators, including members of legislative leadership, it was a good opportunity to re-emphasize USHE’s budget and capital development priorities. The Higher Education Appropriations Subcommittee The Higher Education Appropriations Subcommittee… Continue Reading 2017 Legislative Update – Week 4
National School Counseling Week
National School Counseling Week 2017, “School Counseling: Helping Students Realize Their Potential,” will be celebrated from February 6-10, 2017, to focus public attention on the unique contributions of school counselors. Sponsored by the American School Counselor Association, National School Counseling Week highlights the tremendous impact school counselors can have in helping students achieve school success… Continue Reading National School Counseling Week