The battle lines have been drawn. As the government shuts down, our leadership continues to be uncooperative. The government’s traditionally routine authorization to keep its doors open, known as the continuing resolution, has once again devolved into gridlock. Both political parties continue to bask in national attention as they herald Read More…
Student debt is a growing economic and moral crisis. The average U.S. college student today graduates with more than $25,000 in debt, and nationally, unpaid tuition debt approaches $1.2 trillion. That’s trillion with a T. Twelve zeros. Here at UC Berkeley, our tuition has increased 300 percent since 2002, and Read More…
It is common knowledge that American higher education is need of repair. Recognizing the immediacy of the issue, President Barack Obama laid out a plan last week that aims to create a system of affordability ratings for colleges nationwide. The announcement is a positive development, in spite of some serious Read More…
Despite rising levels of total student debt over the past 10 years, better employment prospects and higher income enable most university students to pay off their loans, according to a report published last Monday by the Public Policy Institute of California. Read More…
UC Berkeley leads public universities with high graduation rates and one of the lowest student default rates in the country in light of more troubling national findings. Read More…
For many of us, these have been the fastest few years of our lives. We find ourselves buying caps and gowns, preparing some final farewells and wondering where all that time could have possibly gone. In this 2012 Graduation Issue, we look to provide some parting perspectives, advice and information Read More…
Come graduation day, some students may find themselves more concerned with their tuition bills than their college degrees. Last year’s college seniors graduated on average nationwide with $25,250 of student debt. However, compared to the nation, UC Berkeley students on average find themselves carrying a lighter debt load. While the Read More…
Navid Shaghaghi’s three undergraduate years at UC Berkeley featured a string of unique, successful experiences — he participated in the Occupy Cal and Open University movements, worked with faculty members to set up Earth Day activities, regularly reviewed academic papers with fellow members of the Philosophy Club and took classes Read More…
In a speech given at the Auraria Campus in Denver, Colo., Wednesday, President Barack Obama announced a plan that would cap federal student loan payments starting in 2012 — two years earlier than initially expected. The plan would cap student loan payments at 10 percent of a borrower’s discretionary income Read More…