Topic: Grants

Student loans: Will Congress's remedy favor middle class over poor?

Student loans subsidized by the federal government will become more expensive soon unless Congress acts to keep interest rates low. But Pell grants, which benefit low-income students, also face cuts, analysts note.

Solar energy subsidies: sticky wicket for Tea Party recipient?

Solar energy tax credits benefited firms owned by Tea Party Republican running for the US Senate. But Mark Neumann, who decries Obama stimulus plan, got the solar energy credits under President Bush.

State of the Union: What can Obama do about college tuition?

President Obama hit hard on college tuition costs in his State of the Union speech, calling on Congress to extend the tuition tax credit and to stop student loan interest from doubling in July.

Budget cuts: five groups likely to feel the pinch

If there's one thing that's lacking in the debt deal that president signed on Aug. 2, it's specifics. It asks for $1.5 trillion in spending cuts over the next 10 years, but gives few concrete details about where they'll come from. The deal does outline some changes for student loans, and it leaves out renewals for a couple of unemployment benefits programs. But most of the envisioned budget cuts won't become clearer until this fall, when a 12-member, bipartisan "super committee" gives its recommendations to Congress. Some Americans may be particularly vulnerable to their budget choices. Here are five groups who could see a reduction in government largesse:

Unemployment rate giving you the blues? Try these top five cities for jobs.

Here are five large metro areas with the lowest unemployment rates and where unemployment is down at least half a percentage point over last year:

For-profit colleges: Great deal for taxpayers. But for students?

For-profit colleges leave students with too much debt, some in Washington are saying. Even though graduates of for-profit colleges might have huge loans to repay, they are a good deal for taxpayers, a recent study says.

Spending deal revealed: What got cut to avoid a government shutdown?

The spending deal to avoid a government shutdown had been agreed to last Friday, but the details of the $39 billion in cuts were not released until Tuesday.

Guns in government buildings? Four controversial gun rights bills in Arizona.

The Arizona Legislature is considering an array of bills that would ease state gun control. The bills have generated controversy, since they were crafted only weeks after the Jan. 8 mass shooting in Tucson, Ariz., that killed six and wounded US Rep. Gabrielle Giffords and 18 others. Among the bills:

Washington trims Pell Grants: How will students pay fall tuition?

Washington's new austerity may make it harder for low-income students to afford college. Pell Grants are on the chopping block, losing $5.7 billion under the current House proposal.

College tuition: Six in 10 freshmen say economy affected choice of school

But concerns about college tuition are offset at least in part by financial aid, as well as big increases in the Federal Pell Grant Program.

Credit repair: What's the smart plan for clearing out debts?

Credit repair (Question #1) and recovering from bankruptcy (Question #10) let you erase old debt and improve your credit score – in the long run. But be careful about short-term implications.

SAT test creator: Don't let tuition hikes scare you

SAT test company, The College Board, releases studies saying that while tuition still outpaces inflation, jumps in federal and private grants are keeping up.

College financial aid: More grant money available – and easier to find

College financial aid is easier to find through the government this year. Grants and loans are consolidated in one place, streamlining families' search for college financial aid.

Four ways New Orleans is better than before Katrina

The Katrina floodwaters that drowned New Orleans caused many to wonder if the city could ever recover. Five years later, recovery is evident in spades. January's Super Bowl win helped set the tone for what recently elected mayor Mitch Landrieu is calling “the new New Orleans.” Here’s a look at four signs of progress that could be models for cities nationwide:

5 famous pork projects: Beer museum and more

Coined from an 1863 story called “The Children of the Public,” pork-barrel spending referred to any public funds spent to benefit the public. Over time, the term has evolved, referring to projects seen as wasteful, or that may only benefit a small group but the costs are spread out between all taxpayers. Of course, often, one politician's pork is another politician's legitimate expense.

The Citizens Against Government Waste puts out an annual "Congressional Pig Book" that listed 9,129 projects at a cost of $16.5 billion in 2010..

Here a selection of US "pork" projects from recent years:

Student loan reform: What will it mean for students?

President Obama signed the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act Tuesday, whose student loan reform will mean big savings for the US government, but not much change for students until 2014.

Will the student aid bill help with your college costs?

Congress is expected to vote this weekend not just on healthcare, but also on a student aid bill. Here’s a rundown of five key components in the legislation.

US House passes student loan overhaul

Private student loan providers would get the boot under the Student Aid and Fiscal Responsibility Act.

Rising college costs prompt student loan reform

States struggle to contain fees at public universities while the federal government rolls out affordability measures to help counter the rising costs of higher education.

US House passes student loan overhaul

Private student loan providers would get the boot under the Student Aid and Fiscal Responsibility Act.

New scam: Get your free stimulus money now!

States are targeting cheats who offer stimulus checks in exchange for bank data or small downpayments.

In Indiana, Obama offers $2.4 billion for clean tech

Obama to make it easier to apply for college aid

The administration will reduce the number of questions on federal forms – currently so tortuous they deter many from applying.

Obama's call for more higher ed

He aims to turn the US into the best-educated country. But the costs and goals need work.