Mississippians are working on their monthly budgets as the pause for federal student-loan payments comes to an end, and the pressure of another monthly expense begins.

The repayment process starts in October for more than 400,000 borrowers in the Magnolia State and 40 million throughout the country.

Brian Walsh, certified financial planner and manager of financial planning for SoFi, said interest will resume starting Sept. 1 and borrowers should start planning how to repay their loans.

"Everyone who had their student loans paused for the last three and a half years needs to start planning for that they're going to be making these payments," he said, "because there is going to be some flexibility related to an on-ramp for a year related to reporting to credit bureau and collections."

According to the Education Data Initiative, the average borrower in Mississippi holds more than $36,000 in student-loan debt. Repayments begin Oct. 1.

Walsh said there are several options available for Mississippians who can't afford their payments or want to reduce them, but highlighted the federal SAVE plan, which offers borrowers income-based repayment options if they qualify.

"With income-driven repayment, essentially, your payments are kept to a certain percentage of your income," he said, "and with this new program, more of your income is going to be excluded. Eventually, the percentage of your income for payments for undergraduate loans will be cut in half. And at the end of the day, it's going to be the most generous option available for income-driven repayment plans."

Walsh said other options include a hardship forbearance, extending terms up to 20 years, graduated repayment plans, or consolidation, refinancing loans and lowering monthly payments.

Support for this reporting was provided by Lumina Foundation


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The Massachusetts state budget has been finalized and public education leaders say students came out on top.

More than $1 billion generated by the state's "millionaire's tax" allowed for increased per-student funding for districts, greater literacy education and most notably, free community college for all students.

Max Page, president of the Massachusetts Teachers Association, called it an important step toward providing quality, debt-free, higher education for all.

"We can tell a fifth grader, 'You can go on to college. You will not have to pay tuition and fees,'" Page emphasized. "That's a crucial statement to those students and their families that this is truly affordable."

Page noted educators were essential to passage of the Fair Share Amendment, which allows for a 4% surtax on income of more than $1 million, to pay for public education and transportation. Massachusetts has some of the highest education costs in the country.

Students do better in school when they have teachers they can relate to. The budget continues to fund the Tomorrow's Teachers program, which aims to increase and diversify the educator workforce with scholarships up to $25,000 per year toward college tuition.

Page pointed out it also includes $170 million to guarantee access to free school meals for every student.

"It's an amazing investment," Page stressed. "It's made possible by these Fair Share monies and it will not only be good for the health of these students, it's also good for their education. Hungry kids are not able to learn."

Page added because the Legislature vastly underestimated just how much the Fair Share Amendment would raise, lawmakers will have an additional billion dollars to spend on one-time investments in the fall. He would like to see improvements to college campus infrastructure across the Commonwealth and a pay raise for faculty and staff.

A new $23 billion education budget plan in Michigan is opening the door for recent high school graduates to attend a community or tribal college, tuition-free. The "Michigan Achievement Scholarship, Community College Guarantee" was signed into law by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer in July - and is expected to save over 18,000 students almost $5,000 each year.

Michelle Richard, deputy director for higher education with the Michigan Department of Lifelong Education, Advancement and Potential, said this new education initiative is a real game-changer for every high school student in the state.

"So if you graduated the class of 2024, or the class of 2023, you are still eligible to enroll this fall at your local community college and attend tuition free," she said.

Students who qualify for the federal Pell Grant can get an extra $1,000 from the state to help with additional college costs like books and supplies.

Richard stressed that if a student wants to start community college this fall, they need to complete the free application for federal student aid on the MiLEAP website.

Those 21 years old or older can also take advantage of the tuition free option. Richard said $52 million is available in a program called "Michigan Reconnect," designed for older students.

"If you are in the workforce and you're thinking about making a change, Michigan Reconnect offers a tuition free pathway to earn that skills certificate or degree at your local community college - and same application," she added.

The state of Michigan has also established the "Sixty by 30 Goal" aiming for at least 60% of Michiganders to obtain a degree or skill certificate by 2030.


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A new school year is still several weeks away but North Dakota voters are being asked to study up on the state's K-12 system and the candidates running to lead it.

The Superintendent of Public Instruction is one of several statewide offices up for grabs this fall. Longtime incumbent Kirsten Baesler is seeking reelection, with former state lawmaker Jason Heitkamp looking to unseat her. A candidate from the June primary, who had been pushing for Christian-based curriculum in public schools, failed to advance.

Chris Clark, assistant professor of teaching, leadership, and professional practice at the University of North Dakota, said it is eye-opening to see wedge issues find their way into such races.

"That is interesting to me, that it has gotten to the level where state education policy is being impacted," Clark observed. "And it's not just local schools having the authority to reject certain textbooks."

While the candidate viewed as having an extreme platform is no longer in the race, Clark pointed out they were backed by the state Republican Party. He suggested it means some GOP lawmakers might have an appetite for similar school mandates, which the winner would be asked to implement. Clark encouraged voters to research the remaining candidates about what they would do to support students and teachers.

Despite national trends of divisive candidates seeking spots on school boards and in leadership posts, Clark feels North Dakota voters are not over-the-top in embracing the movement. Still, challenger Jason Heitkamp supports eliminating property taxes as a school funding source, which is a possible ballot question this fall. Clark stressed those are positions to which voters should pay attention.

"Eliminating local property taxes, while that might be very popular, also seems just like a way to cut school funding," Clark asserted. "I think the prospect of further funding cuts, I think, are going to negatively impact a lot of communities across the state."

For his part, Heitkamp said he wants to ensure the state would fully fund K-12 schools and teachers are paid accordingly. The incumbent Baesler does not back the property tax change but said she would push for stronger teacher pay without the need for higher taxes.


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