U.S. Discharges $72 Million in Loans for Ashford Students
The former Ashford University repeatedly lied to students over a decade about the cost, time requirement and value of its degree program, making the education they obtained “effectively worthless,” the U.S. Education Department found in an independent review.
As a result of that review, the department is forgiving $72 million in student loans for more than 2,300 former Ashford students.
To learn more: https://www.insidehighered.com/news/government/student-aid-policy/2023/08/30/us-forgives-72m-student-loans-former-ashford-students
Rising Cost of Housing and Higher Education Poses Real Problems for Rural Students
Rural Minnesota students living in ‘ice castles’ to make ends meet. California administrators considered dormitory barges, sending students out to sea. And housing isn’t the only challenge. The lack of housing affordability across the nation is gripping headlines, including in the New York Times earlier this month, which highlighted the challenge for younger Americans without mincing words: “Gen Z Can’t Afford the Rent.”
But students, and rural ones in particular, face a unique housing challenge even among Gen Zers — on top of housing shortages and rising rents, they also face limitations that make landlords less likely to house them when presented with other options. They are less likely to have built up the savings needed to provide the first month of rent and a security deposit upfront. They often don’t have a high credit score or significant credit history, and, if they are full-time students, might not have steady proof of income either.
To learn more: https://dailyyonder.com/rising-cost-of-housing-and-higher-education-poses-real-problems-for-rural-students/2023/08/31/
Final Title IX rules likely to be pushed beyond October
The U.S. Department of Education probably won’t meet its own October deadline for releasing the two final Title IX regulations that colleges are anxiously awaiting, policy experts and practitioners say.
The likely delay is a blow to the Biden administration, which has made a rework to federal sexual misconduct and gender identity policies a signature initiative. Colleges are also in an awkward position of adhering to an existing Trump-era Title IX regulation, while still needing to prepare for a completely new slate of rules.
Title IX is the law banning sex-based discrimination, including sexual violence, in federally funded colleges and K-12 schools.
To learn more: https://www.highereddive.com/news/final-title-ix-rules-likely-to-be-pushed-beyond-october/692378/
Scholarships for International Students Wanting Master's Degrees in the US
Keystone Masterstudies, which specializes in student recruitment, higher education marketing and enrollment management, has a roundup of scholarships for international students seeking a master's degree in the United States.
They include university scholarships, scholarships funded by governmental bodies and external organizations, and major-specific scholarships.
To learn more: https://www.voanews.com/a/scholarships-for-international-students-wanting-master-s-degrees-in-the-us-/7209554.html
Survey: Over 4 in 5 college seniors report burnout during undergraduate experience
Over 4 in 5 college seniors have experienced burnout during their undergraduate experience, marked by chronic exhaustion and lack of motivation, according to a new survey from early career platform Handshake.
More than one-quarter of respondents, 29%, said they frequently felt burnt out during their undergraduate career. That’s compared to 51% of seniors who reported being burnt out sometimes and 16% who said they felt that way rarely.
The class of 2024 expects to carry those feelings into their early careers. A large majority of respondents, 80%, said they’re worried about burnout once they enter their professions.
To learn more: https://www.highereddive.com/news/survey-over-4-in-5-college-seniors-report-burnout-during-undergraduate-exp/692208/
Study abroad programs no longer exclusive to the elite in India
199,182 students from India studied in the United States during the 2021–2022 academic year, which was a roughly 20% increase over the previous year, as per the Open Doors 2022 Report on International Educational Exchange, issued by the Institute of International Education and the State Department in November 2022.
Over the last decade, the quest for overseas education has experienced a transformative shift in India. Conventionally, study abroad programs were largely favored by the elite class due to their high costs, prestige associated with a university, and limited accessibility. However, this scenario has transformed significantly over time. The mindset of students has changed, with a growing emphasis on the quality of education and more accessibility, increasing the number of middle-class Indian students studying abroad. A recent rise in “study abroad” for Indian students overseas captures the transformation of this trend.
Interest in study abroad surges
A professor at the University of Miami College of Arts and Sciences, Richard Grant has been conducting research in South Africa and other African nations for more than two decades. He has led the University’s student study abroad program in Cape Town, called UCape Town, since 2013.
This year, the Office of Study Abroad has seen a surge in interest in its academic programs, which are expanding in spring 2024 to UMadrid, ULondon, and UCosta Rica.
The new locations complement existing locales, which in addition to UCape Town include UGalapagos, UBarcelona, ULatin America, UParis, UPrague, URome, USeville, and UShanghai. “Spring applications are up over 40 percent compared to this time last year,” said Devika Milner, assistant dean and director of the Office of Study Abroad. It partners with international institutions that align with the University’s academic standards. There are three types of programs offered—U Programs, UM Partner Programs, and Faculty-Led Programs.
5 things to keep in mind if you are planning to pursue medical education abroad
This year, nearly 1.7 million medical hopefuls in India participated in the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET). Those who meet the eligibility criteria then vie for the 1 Lakh plus openings within the country.
Due to the fierce competition for the restricted slots in government medical institutions and the substantial expenses linked with private medical schools, a considerable number of Indian medical aspirants opt to explore countries such as Ukraine, Russia, China, Kyrgyzstan, Georgia, and the Philippines for their MBBS pursuits.
The less preferred options are students opting for MBBS in the USA, Canada, and the UK, including some countries in the West directly after the 12th.
The FMGL Regulations 2021, issued by the NMC, delineate the registration process and the prerequisites for acknowledging foreign medical graduates.
Should You Use ChatGPT For Your Study Abroad Application?
The answer to this question is NO! Generally, international students may be able to make use of ChatGPT to apply for studies abroad. However, AI is under scrutiny because even if it can create incomprehensible responses to simple questions, it can risk your academic career. Here are 5 reasons why:
It’s plagiarism
It Gives Wrong Answers
Don’t Risk Your Admission
Think About Your Future
You Know Yourself Better
Using ChatGPT for your study abroad shows you do not have what it takes to study abroad. It also shows you do not care about your self-worth in general. Therefore, to have the best chance of gaining admission abroad, international students must take the time to write a quality statement of purpose or essay.
To learn more: https://www.afterschoolafrica.com/76092/should-you-use-chatgpt-for-your-study-abroad-application/
Australia takes action on fraud in student visa system
The Australian government has closed a loophole in the student visa system that was allowing some international students to switch from “genuine study to an arrangement designed to facilitate access to work in Australia.” The current action revolves around a policy that has allowed students to hold “concurrent COEs” (Confirmations of Enrolments) and to effectively transfer out of reputable higher education and vocational training institutions to inexpensive, private colleges.
The tightening up of immigration processes will be complemented by more scrutiny and oversight of the vocational sector to weed out unethical operators. Going forward, international students will need to prove they have more savings than in the past to obtain a visa.
To learn more: https://monitor.icef.com/2023/08/australia-takes-action-on-fraud-in-student-visa-system/
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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