Students protest against ‘predatory’ scholarship revocations
International students at a Melbourne university lost their “scholarships” for receiving credit grades, and were given 10 days to pay thousands of dollars in unexpected extra fees.
Swinburne University of Technology said it was amending the rules for its “excellence” scholarships after dozens of overseas learners fell foul of requirements to maintain distinction averages.
Eligibility for the scholarships is automatically extended to applicants whose prior results equate to a grade point average (GPA) of at least 60, according to Swinburne’s website. But “further criteria”, available on inquiry, specify minimum GPAs of 70 or 80 to maintain eligibility.
To learn more: https://www.timeshighereducation.com/news/students-protest-against-predatory-scholarship-revocations
How EdTech’s offline push for global education transformed from virtual to real
Given the disposition of these new-age digitalized classrooms, students are not only benefiting from improved understanding but enhanced learning experiences as well. By assisting teachers in creating engaging presentations and giving students better learning opportunities, these cutting-edge tools have contributed to a more successful learning environment.
As per the latest global education industry data as we progress towards a more technologically advanced society, education technology will inevitably grow, leading to an increase in the adoption of cutting-edge tools by instructors and students alike for improved learning opportunities.
Affirmative action lawsuits return with a vengeance - Inside Higher Ed
The Supreme Court’s June decision striking down race-conscious admissions may have been the most significant higher education case in years, providing a concrete answer to questions that have spurred dozens of court cases since the 1990s. But it hardly put an end to the legal fight over affirmative action.
Just yesterday, Students for Fair Admissions, the group that spearheaded the Supreme Court cases against Harvard University and the University of North Carolina, filed a lawsuit challenging the race-conscious admissions policies of the U.S. Military Academy at West Point. SFFA began building the case after the Supreme Court left open the possibility that military colleges could be exempt from the affirmative action ruling due to their “potentially distinct interests” in enrolling racially diverse student bodies.
To learn more: https://www.insidehighered.com/news/admissions/traditional-age/2023/09/20/affirmative-action-lawsuits-return-vengeance
Higher ed can't afford its left-wing bias problem
For more than a decade, surveys have demonstrated that the academia I first knew faces serious problems. Since 2012, enrollments have experienced small but steady declines so the estimated increases in enrollments in the last two years have been only very modest. Some institutions have either merged or closed, and academic disciplines with few enrollees are increasingly endangered. The pandemic’s negative impact on student preparation will continue for years, and gradually slowing birth rates since 2008 pose an additional challenge. Prohibitive college costs continue to rise as technical schools, boot camps, businesses, and industry offer alternative means of education and employment.
Administered to a wide range of Americans of varied ages, education levels, and backgrounds, Gallup’s 2023 survey—reported by Inside Higher Ed with the headline “American Confidence in Higher Ed Hits Historic Low”—also affirmed a relatively depressing outlook. Just 36 percent of respondents had “quite a lot” or “a great deal” of confidence in higher education. Democrats comprised the single positive subgroup (59 percent), while only 19 percent of Republicans expressed confidence.
To learn more: https://www.insidehighered.com/opinion/views/2023/09/20/higher-ed-cant-afford-its-left-wing-bias-problem-opinion
Feds cancel $37M in loans for former University of Phoenix students
The Biden administration said Wednesday it will forgive about $37 million in student loans for borrowers who attended the University of Phoenix, once a for-profit behemoth that in the last decade lost a massive chunk of its enrollment amid lawsuits and scandal.
More than 1,200 students who attended the University of Phoenix between late September 2012 and December 2014 will have their loans wiped out, Federal Trade Commission and U.S. Department of Education officials jointly announced.
To learn more: https://www.highereddive.com/news/feds-cancel-37m-in-loans-for-former-university-of-phoenix-students/694294/
SUNY Potsdam looks to eliminate 14 more programs to close $9M deficit
The State University of New York at Potsdam is looking to eliminate 14 academic programs over the next few years — including bachelor’s in chemistry, public health and theater — as it tries to bridge a $9 million budget gap.
SUNY Potsdam President Suzanne Smith unveiled the cuts in a speech Tuesday, at one point growing teary-eyed as she detailed how the public institution will attempt to recalibrate its academic array in the wake of sliding enrollment and subsequent financial deficits.
The university will need to significantly reduce faculty numbers, Smith said during her remarks, although she did not offer the exact number of positions it will seek to cut.
To learn more: https://www.highereddive.com/news/suny-potsdam-looks-to-eliminate-14-more-programs-to-close-9m-deficit/694146/
WVU to reduce library budget by up to $800K
West Virginia University will reduce its libraries’ personnel budget by up to $800,000 following recommendations from the provost’s office. The dean of libraries must submit a plan for the cuts by Dec. 1, and staff will be notified if they have been terminated between Dec. 8 and 15.
The provost’s office also recommended the university’s Teaching and Learning Commons — which provides teaching support and resources for faculty, postdoctoral fellows and graduate students — reduce its operations and potentially cut staff over concerns its services are duplicating those in other departments.
Reagan Foundation and GE Announce Scholarship Application Open Date of October 16, 2023
The Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation and Institute, in partnership with GE, are pleased to announce that the 2024 GE-Reagan Foundation Scholarship Program will open for applications on October 16, 2023. This program awards up to $400,000 in scholarships to deserving high school seniors across the country in 2024.
Now in its 14th year, the program has awarded $8.62 million to 216 students. Recipients hailing from 42 states and attending more than 120 undergraduate campuses form a diverse network of young leaders attending college, pursuing graduate degrees, and working in careers ranging from medicine, law, education, business, nonprofit, and more around the world.
If you’re looking to apply to international universities or exploring overseas higher education options, The Headmaster Consulting can help you narrow your selection while keeping track of your requirements for your financial needs while tracking overseas education options. If you want personalized roadmaps to your dream universities, get in touch with our consultants to help you build your profile and applications.
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