Un colegio comunitario al norte de Sacramento está probando una forma innovadora de reducir los costos para los estudiantes necesitados: con un nuevo programa "Endow-a-Bed". Sierra College recibió 80 millones de dólares del Estado para construir una nueva residencia universitaria, donde los estudiantes pagarán 450 dólares al mes para vivir mientras estén en la escuela. Pero Sunbol Aliabadi, de la Sierra College Foundation, dice que los donantes han intensificado el esfuerzo para ofrecer alojamiento y comida gratuitos a unos pocos estudiantes de muy bajos ingresos.

"Contamos con un poco mas de siete camas dotadas. Con suerte, para cuando los dormitorios estén listos, que será el otoño de 2026, ya tendremos las 10 camas dotadas," dijo Aliabadi.

Un informe reciente del fondo State Legislative Analyst encontró que casi una cuarta parte de los estudiantes encuestados en los colegios comunitarios de California informaron haber estado sin hogar en algún momento durante los últimos doce meses. Sólo los estudiantes de tiempo completo y de muy bajos ingresos calificarán para alojamiento y comidas gratis en Sierra College. La escuela calcula que ofrecer alojamiento cuesta 6.000 dólares al año, además de las comidas en la cafetería de la escuela.

Aliabadi dice que los donantes están intensificando sus esfuerzos para mantener el programa funcionando indefinidamente.

"Por una inversión única de 250.000 dólares, a una tasa de rendimiento del 3%, se generan alrededor de 7.500 dólares al año, y eso cubriría alojamiento y comida para un estudiante, a perpetuidad," Aliabadi explicó.

Sierra College también recibió una subvención que permite disponer de cuatro camas de emergencia en los dormitorios existentes. Entonces, si un estudiante repentinamente se queda sin hogar, puede quedarse en el dormitorio durante 30 días y trabajar con la escuela para encontrar un alojamiento permanente.

El apoyo para este reportaje fue aportado por la Fundación Lumina.


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In the new year, college applications in Minnesota will look a little different: They will no longer feature an initial question about a person's criminal history, a move supporters said creates better futures for those seeking higher education.

A new state law just took effect, prohibiting Minnesota's public and private colleges and universities from asking about applicants' criminal past on the initial forms they fill out, except for programs such as law enforcement.

Sen. Clare Oumou Verbeten, DFL-St. Paul, sponsored the bill and she said by boosting access to higher education, they are giving applicants an outlet to reconcile with their past and chart a new course.

"It's about giving people an opportunity to explain their stories and their situations and not putting them in a position where they don't even want to try," Verbeten explained. "That's really the hardest thing about when there is that box is a lot of people just give up."

The change is a recommendation from the federal Beyond the Box report of 2023. Research shows nearly two-thirds of those who disclosed felony convictions did not submit their application. Amid efforts across the U.S., some schools still express concern about public safety. Verbeten argued Minnesota's law strikes a good balance and gives schools the opportunity to follow up before a student is enrolled.

Will Cooley, policy director for the Minnesota Justice Research Center, testified in favor of the plan. He said generally speaking, similar moves have enjoyed bipartisan support, including in conservative states like Louisiana.

"I have worked on Ban the Box campaigns in the past," Cooley recounted. "One thing that really struck me was the broad swath of supporters, religious congregations, chambers of commerce, formerly incarcerated people, the list goes on."

The federal report cited findings showing no significant difference between the campus crime rates of schools emphasizing looking into applicants' criminal background and institutions which did not. The authors also noted educational achievement reduces recidivism by 48%, easing pressure on state and federal budgets when factoring incarceration costs.

Support for this reporting was provided by Lumina Foundation.


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Connecticut is launching its Student Loan Reimbursement Program Jan. 1.

The program was created through legislation passed by the state's General Assembly earlier this year. With $6 million in funding, it will reduce state borrowers more than $18 billion in student loan debt. Aside from being a Connecticut resident for five consecutive years, they need to have performed 50 hours of volunteer work at an approved organization in 2024.

Michael Criscuolo, associate administrative fiscal officer for the Connecticut Office of Higher Education, mentioned some of the other eligibility requirements.

"They must have an outstanding student loan balance," Criscuolo outlined. "And during 2024, have paid towards a Federal Direct loan, a Direct Plus loan, a Perkins loan, a state-sponsored student loan or even a private loan."

The reimbursement is based on how much a person paid toward their loan this year. If they paid $100 a month, they could receive $1,200 of debt relief. Some could receive up to $5,000 dollars a year with a $20,000 cap over four years. The program is first come, first served.

Criscuolo pointed out response to the program has been overwhelmingly positive. He noted there are many frequently asked questions regarding eligibility or whether an organization counts for the volunteer requirement but he added people are looking forward to the launch.

"People think that it's a great program," Criscuolo observed. "We're anticipating hundreds of thousands of applications. It's capped at $6 million, and we're anticipating that we can pay between 1,200 and 3,000 students."

The totals will depend on how much money people have paid toward their loans. He emphasized any time people can alleviate debt from student loans is helpful. Under President Joe Biden's student loan debt forgiveness, more than 7,200 Connecticut borrowers had more than $309 million forgiven.

Support for this reporting was provided by Lumina Foundation.


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Indiana families see value in higher education, but many are still confused about how to pay for it.

A new survey by INvestEd, a nonprofit based in the state, shows 83% of Hoosiers believe in the importance of postsecondary education.

However, concerns about student loan debt and filing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or FAFSA, leave some hesitant.

INvestEd Vice President of Marketing Bill Wozniak said families often feel overwhelmed navigating financial aid.

"That confusion really leads people to often walk away from post-secondary education all together," said Wozniak, "or sometimes, make bad choices and over-borrow."

Indiana recently improved FAFSA completion rates despite national challenges. Updates to the application caused delays, but Wozniak said the process has greatly improved this year.

The priority deadline for filing is April 15, 2025.

According to Wozniak, families must act quickly to access key programs like the Frank O'Bannon Grant and 21st Century Scholars program.

"Glitches and problems could be ironed out for the most part before the new year began," said Wozniak. "And we are very happy to report that the form is performing extremely well."

INvestEd provides free support to students and families through 900 events each year, plus online and phone help. Officials emphasize that higher education is attainable with the right guidance.

For more information, visit investedindiana.org or call 317-715-9007.



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