College student's classroom is the farm where he works (CBS Evening News)

At a time when college is unaffordable for many, some schools are re-imagining higher education, shifting their curricula from general knowledge to providing free training for specific jobs. Mark Strassmann reports from Merced, California.

Boycott Amazon March 7-14, 2025.

Please observe the boycott of Amazon from March 7-14, 2025.  This is a step up from the one-day boycotts on February 28.  Boycotts are an essential tool of nonviolent resistance and one way to make your voices heard.  

Trump Invites Wealthy Foreigners to Become US Citizens

In his State of the Union message last night, President Trump reaffirmed his interest in encouraging rich people from around the world to become US citizens.  The price of US Gold Cards, and a path to citizenship, will be $5M per person. Trump added that these Gold Card members would not have to pay taxes to their native countries.  

Watch DOGE Dismantle US Department of Education in Real Time

The US Department of Government Efficiency regularly posts cuts to all US federal agencies, including the US Department of Education, which it is working on to dismantle. The cuts include "asset sales, contract/lease cancellations and renegotiations, fraud and improper payment deletion, grant cancellations, interest savings, programmatic changes, regulatory savings, and workforce reductions."

As of March 4, 2025, DOGE has reduced ED regulations by 1.25 million words and approximately 3,340 sections of regulation.  according to DOGE, ED has 4,245 employees making an average of $140,000 per year.  The average employee is 49 years of age and has worked for the Department for 13 years.  The total cost of employee wages is $596M per year. 

 Here's a sample of the current list of Department of Education contracts cut by DOGE. 

 

Trump and DOGE Decimate Department of Education Office of Inspector General

According to our sources at the US Department of Education, the number of personnel in its Office of Inspector General (OIG) is down approximately 14 percent from January 1, 2025.  The number of workers there could be further reduced as President Trump issues his austerity budget. The current loses at ED-OIG include retirements, those who have chosen to be part of the deferred resignation program, and those who left the organization for positions elsewhere. While this cutting may reduce personnel costs, what will happen with less OIG workers to oversee the proper use of federal funds?  Will this embolden bad actors, including predatory schools and debt servicers?  We're guessing it does.      

The Future of Federal Student Loans

The U.S. student loan system, now exceeding $1.7 trillion in debt and affecting over 40 million borrowers, is facing significant challenges. As political pressures rise, the management of student loans could be significantly altered. A combination of potential privatization, the elimination of the U.S. Department of Education (ED), and a new role for the Department of the Treasury raises critical questions about the future of the system.

U.S. Department of Education: Strained Resources and Outsourcing

The U.S. Department of Education (ED) is responsible for managing federal student loan servicing, loan forgiveness programs, and borrower defense to repayment (BDR) claims. However, ED has faced ongoing issues with understaffing and inefficiency, particularly as many functions have been outsourced to contractors. Companies like Maximus (including subsidiaries like AidVantage) manage much of the administrative burden for loan servicing. This has raised concerns about accountability and the impact on borrowers, especially those seeking loan relief.

In recent years, ED has also experienced staff reductions and funding cuts, making it difficult to process claims or maintain high-quality service. The potential for further cuts or even the elimination of the department could exacerbate these problems. If ED’s role is diminished, other entities, such as the Department of the Treasury, could assume responsibility for managing the student loan portfolio, though this would present its own set of challenges.

Potential for Privatization of the Student Loan Portfolio

One of the most discussed options for addressing the student loan crisis is the privatization of the federal student loan portfolio. Under previous administration discussions, including those during President Trump’s tenure, there were talks about selling off parts of the student loan portfolio to private companies. This would be done with the aim of reducing the federal deficit.

In 2019, McKinsey & Company was hired by the Trump administration to analyze the value of the student loan portfolio, considering factors such as default rates and economic conditions. While the report's findings were never made public, the idea of transferring the loans to private companies—such as banks or investment firms—remains a possibility.

The consequences of privatizing federal student loans could be significant. Private companies would likely focus on profitability, which could result in stricter repayment terms or less flexibility for borrowers seeking loan forgiveness or other relief options. This shift may reduce borrower protections, making it harder for students to challenge repayment terms or pursue loan discharges.

The Department of the Treasury and its Potential Role

If the U.S. Department of Education is restructured or eliminated, there is a possibility that the Department of the Treasury could step in to manage some aspects of the student loan portfolio. The Treasury is responsible for the country’s financial systems and debt management, so it could, in theory, handle the federal student loan portfolio from a financial oversight perspective.

However, while the Treasury has experience in financial management, it lacks the specialized knowledge of student loans and borrower protections that the Department of Education currently provides. For example, the Treasury would need to find ways to process complex Borrower Defense to Repayment claims, a responsibility ED currently manages. In 2023, over 750,000 Borrower Defense claims were pending, with thousands of claims related to predatory practices at for-profit colleges such as University of Phoenix, ITT Tech, and Kaplan University (now known as Purdue Global). Additionally, some of these for-profit schools were able to reorganize and continue operating under different names, further complicating the situation.

The Treasury could also contract out loan servicing, but this could increase reliance on profit-driven companies, possibly compromising the interests of borrowers in favor of financial performance.

Borrower Defense Claims and the Impact of For-Profit Schools

A large portion of the Borrower Defense to Repayment claims comes from students who attended for-profit colleges with a history of deceptive practices. These institutions, often referred to as subprime colleges, misled students about job prospects, program outcomes, and accreditation, leaving many with significant student debt but poor employment outcomes.

Data from 2023 revealed that over 750,000 Borrower Defense claims were filed with the Department of Education, many of them against for-profit institutions. The Sweet v. Cardona case showed that more than 200,000 borrowers were expected to receive debt relief after years of waiting. However, the process was slow, with an estimated 16,000 new claims being filed each month, and only 35 ED workers handling these claims. These delays, combined with the uncertainty around the future of ED, leave borrowers vulnerable to prolonged financial hardship. 

Lack of Transparency and Accountability in the System

While the U.S. Department of Education tracks Borrower Defense claims, it does not publish institutional-level data, making it difficult to identify which schools are responsible for the most fraudulent activity. 

In response to this, FOIA requests have been filed by organizations like the National Student Legal Defense Network and the Higher Education Inquirer to obtain detailed information about which institutions are disproportionately affecting borrowers. 

In one such request, the Higher Education Inquirer asked for information regarding claims filed against the University of Phoenix, a school with a significant number of Borrower Defense claims.

The lack of transparency in the system makes it harder for borrowers to make informed decisions about which institutions to attend and limits accountability for schools that have harmed students. If the Treasury or private companies take over management of the loan portfolio, these transparency issues could worsen, as private entities are less likely to prioritize public accountability.

Conclusion

The future of the U.S. student loan system is uncertain, particularly as the Department of Education faces the potential of funding cuts, staff reductions, or even complete dissolution. If ED’s role diminishes or disappears, the Department of the Treasury could take over some functions, but this would raise questions about the fairness and transparency of the system.

The possibility of privatizing the student loan portfolio also looms large, which could shift the focus away from borrower protections and toward financial gain for private companies. For-profit schools, many of which have a history of predatory practices, are responsible for a disproportionate number of Borrower Defense claims, and any move to privatize the loan portfolio could exacerbate the challenges faced by borrowers seeking relief from these institutions.

Ultimately, there is a need for greater transparency and accountability in how the student loan system operates. Whether managed by the Department of Education, the Treasury, or private companies, protecting borrowers and ensuring fairness should remain central to any future reforms. If these issues are not addressed, millions of borrowers will continue to face significant financial hardship.

Announcing Our New Student Basic Needs Survey Report (The Hope Center, Temple University)

Our long-awaited report shares findings from 91 institutions across 16 states that participated in Hope Impact Partnerships (HIP) and fielded The Hope Center Student Basic Needs Survey between Spring 2023 and Summer 2024. 

 

 

Read the Report

Help Us Spread the Word 

 

 

 

 

Living Joyfully: Teachings by Thich Nhat Hanh (Plum Village)

The Theory of Stupidity: Dietrich Bonhoeffer (Mirror of Being)

 

Higher Education Inquirer Approaches Half Million Views

 

After Heated Oval Office Exchange, Trump Ends Pivotal Meeting With Zelensky Early (Time)

Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky wouldn’t concede the point. A tense Oval Office meeting Friday that was supposed to end in Ukraine agreeing to share mining resources with the U.S. devolved into a heated argument as President Donald Trump and Vice President J.D. Vance insisted Ukraine should express more gratitude for U.S. support and agree to a ceasefire with Russia, even without clear security guarantees from the U.S. “You don’t have the cards right now,” Trump told Zelensky, as the two interrupted each other during a forceful exchange in front of TV cameras.

Support the Mission of the University of Oregon (United Academics of the University of Oregon)

Tuition has increased faster than inflation. State funding has increased faster than inflation. Administrator salaries have increased faster than inflation. Yet, the administration is demanding that the teachers, librarians, and researchers who drive the university’s educational mission take real wage cuts. 

While everyone acknowledges the financial challenges facing higher education, the UO is receiving more money per student than ever before. If this money isn’t going toward student education and knowledge creation, where is it going?

The Facts:

Quality Education Requires Investment in Faculty

The value of a University of Oregon degree depends on the quality of its professors, instructors, researchers, and librarians. When faculty wages erode due to artificial austerity, neglect, or slow attrition, it affects not only the quality of education and research, but also the long-term value of a UO degree for students and alumni alike.

• UO faculty salaries rank near the bottom among our peer institutions in the American Association of Universities (AAU).
• United Academics has proposed fair wage increases that would merely adjust salaries for inflation and restore them to pre-pandemic budget levels.
• Despite pandemic-related learning loss, the administration is spending less on education per student (adjusted for inflation) than before COVID-19.
• The administration has prioritized administrative growth over academic excellence, while faculty have taken on increased workloads since the pandemic.

Faculty Sacrificed to Protect UO—Now It’s Time for Fair Wages

During the pandemic, faculty agreed to potential pay reductions to help UO weather an uncertain financial future. We made sacrifices to ensure the university could continue to serve students. Now, as we bargain our first post-pandemic contract, the administration refuses to offer wage increases that:

• Cover inflation
• Acknowledge additional faculty labor since the pandemic
• Recognize our unwavering commitment to UO’s educational mission

Our Vision for UO: Excellence in Teaching & Research

The University of Oregon’s mission is clear:

“The University of Oregon is a comprehensive public research university committed to exceptional teaching, discovery, and service. We work at a human scale to generate big ideas. As a community of scholars, we help individuals question critically, think logically, reason effectively, communicate clearly, act creatively, and live ethically.”

Our vision for the University of Oregon is one where the educational and research mission are at the fore; an institution of higher learning where we attract and maintain the best researchers and instructors and provide a world class education for the citizens of Oregon and beyond. Yes, this will take a shift in economic priorities, but only back to those before the pandemic. Our demands are neither extravagant nor frivolous. Our demand is that the fiduciaries of the University of Oregon perform their primary fiduciary duty: support the mission of the University of Oregon.

Why This Matters Now

We are currently in state-mandated mediation, a final step before a potential faculty strike. Striking is a last resort—faculty do not want to disrupt student learning. However, the administration’s arguments for austerity do not align with the university’s financial situation or acknowledge the increased faculty labor and inflated economic reality since the pandemic. If the administration does not relent, we may have no choice but to strike.

We Need Your Support

A strong show of support from the UO community—students, parents, alumni, donors, legislators and citizens of Oregon and beyond—can help pressure the administration to do the right thing. 

Sign our Community Support Letter

States are stepping up to protect and deliver for borrowers. (Student Borrower Protection Center)

 

I know all that’s happening at the federal level is frustrating right now, but I’m here to report on some real progress happening at the state level. We’ve been working with amazing partners across the country as they advance critical bills in state legislatures, some of which have been heard in various committees over the past few weeks. I’d like to highlight our recent work in Maryland and New Mexico in particular: Maryland Public Service Loan Forgiveness Employment Certification and Awareness (House Bill 795) Introduced by Delegates Spiegel, Kaiser, Kaufman, Lehman, R. Lewis, Lopez, Palakovich Carr, Terrasa, and Toles, this bill will make Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) more accessible to Maryland public service workers. It mandates that a multiplier be used to calculate hours worked for adjunct and contingent faculty, qualifying employers certify employment in a timely fashion, and employers and the Maryland ombuds regularly share information on the PSLF program. On February 13th, SBPC, along with the CASH Campaign of Maryland and the Maryland Center for Collegiate Financial Wellness, testified before the Economic Matters Committee with the sponsor, Delegate Spiegel. The bill received a favorable report from the Committee!  Institutional Debt Reporting (House Bill 920) Last week, SBPC testified alongside Maryland Center for Collegiate Financial Wellness and bill sponsor, Delegate Spiegel, on the critical issue of institutional debt. HB 920 would require higher education institutions to report on the institutional debt they hold for things like students’ parking tickets, tuition, and library fees. SBPC released a Maryland-based fact sheet analyzing the results of public information requests sent to 12 schools. Their responses—or lack thereof—were troubling. Records provided by Allegany College of Maryland show that the debt is disproportionately owed by women, Black students, and low-income students. No other school responded to SBPC’s request for data on debt by demographic. Clearly, this bill is needed to protect students!

House Bill 795 Testimony

House Bill 920 Testimony

New Mexico  New Mexico Student Loan Borrower Bill of Rights (House Bill 224) The New Mexico Borrower Bill of Rights, introduced by Representatives Chandler, Caballero, and Hochman-Vigil, would create a licensing structure for student loan servicers in New Mexico, provide consumer protections for borrowers with private student loans, and establish an ombuds who can help borrowers and investigate issues at the state level. If enacted, New Mexico would be the 20th state to pass a Borrower Bill of Rights! We are proud to have partnered with New Mexico AFT to keep this bill front and center!  Public Service Loan Forgiveness Employment Certification and Awareness (House Bill 69) Like the Maryland bill, HB 69 will make PSLF more accessible to public service workers across New Mexico. Introduced by Representative Garratt and Senator Jaramillo, it requires higher education institutions to use a multiplier when calculating the number of hours of adjunct and contingent faculty work, and it requires that qualifying employers certify employment in a timely fashion and regularly share information on the PSLF program with their employees. This bill passed through the House Government, Elections, and Indian Affairs Committee on January 31st, and passed the House Education Committee last week on February 18th!! We look forward to continuing to work with partners like New Mexico AFT to advance protections for borrowers!

Attacks at the federal level on working families make state and local work like this all the more necessary. States can and must step up to create more protections for borrowers! Keep calm and TAKE ACTION,  Amy Czulada Outreach & Advocacy Manager Student Borrower Protection Center

BIG CHANGES to SNAP, Medicaid, Social Security & Student Loan Forgiveness - What You NEED to Know! (Low-Income Relief)

If you’re worried about losing your benefits, you’re not alone. With new budget resolutions and lawsuits targeting SNAP, Medicaid, and student loan forgiveness, millions of Americans could be impacted.

 

 

"... IF YOU CAN KEEP IT!": The Fight for Democracy in America (CUNY School of Labor and Urban Studies)

 

Click here to view as webpage

Fri. March 7 thru Fri. April 4 - via Zoom

"... IF YOU CAN KEEP IT!":  The Fight for Democracy in America * Civic Engagement and Leadership Development 2025 * Fridays at Noon (ET) from March 7 to April 4.   Virtual via Zoom webinar.  Register:  slucuny.swoogo.com/CELD2025

Fri. March 7 -- 12:00pm-1:30pm:   "From Multiracial Democracy to Multiracial Fascism?:  What is the Future of the American Experiment?"   Guest Speakers: Alexis McGill Johnson (she/her) - President and CEO, Planned Parenthood Federation; Planned Parenthood Action Fund Eric Ward (he/him) - Executive Vice President, Race Forward Dorian Warren (he/him) - Co-President, Center for Community Change; Community Change Action   Moderator: Alethia Jones (she/her) - Director, Civic Engagement and Leadership Development, CUNY School of Labor and Urban Studies

Fri. March 14 -- 12pm-1:30pm:   "Labor's Fight for Democracy"   Guest Speakers: Carlos Aramayo (he/him) - President, UNITE HERE Local 26; Vice President, Massachusetts AFL-CIO Adolph Reed (he/him) - Professor Emeritus, Political Science, University of Pennsylvania   Moderator: Samir Sonti (he/him) - Assistant Professor, CUNY School of Labor and Urban Studies

Fri. March 21 -- 12pm-1:30pm:   "On the Frontlines of the School for Democracy"    Guest Speakers: Jamala Rogers (she/her) - Standing for Democracy  Shane Larson (he/him) - Assistant to President; Senior Director, Government Affairs & Policy, Communications Workers of America Jessica Tang (she/her) - President, AFT Massachusetts; Vice President, Massachusetts AFL-CIO    Moderator: Stephanie Luce (she/her) - Chair and Professor, Labor Studies Department CUNY School of Labor and Urban Studies

Fri. March 28 -- 12pm-1:30pm:   "Where is the Working-Class Majority?: From Demographic Destiny to Strategic Action"   Guest Speakers: Erica Smiley (she/her) - Executive Director, Jobs With Justice  Loan Tran (they/them) - National Director, Rising Majority   Moderator: Alethia Jones (she/her) - Director, Civic Engagement and Leadership Development, CUNY School of Labor and Urban Studies

Fri. April 4 -- 12pm-1:30pm:   Can We Keep It? Reflections on "The Fight for Democracy in America"   Moderator: Alethia Jones (she/her) - Director, Civic Engagement and Leadership Development, CUNY School of Labor and Urban Studies

Register:  slucuny.swoogo.com/CELD2025