Education Insights Center (EdInsights)’s Post

A significant piece of what we do in ACE is related to Extension and outreach. Partnering with University of Illinois Extension, our faculty aim to apply research-based knowledge to help communities and the state. Last fall, Mark White, an Extension specialist in ACE, shared a study on rural vitality in Illinois. Listen as he explains the findings of what can be done to help rural communities thrive🙌 Check out the study⬇️ https://lnkd.in/gfKDj2Fu

I am saddened to share the news of the passing of Marshall Brain, a respected faculty member at NC State University. His contributions to the academic community were significant, and he will be greatly missed by colleagues, students, and the broader community. This blog post highlights his legacy and the impact he had during his time at NC State. You can read more about it here: https://ift.tt/3gYiLoG.

🌟 Discover how the Community Colleges of Ventura County are paving the way for future generations! 🎓 Chancellor Dr. Rick MacLennan shares insightful thoughts in his latest Op-Ed on the critical role our colleges play in skill development and lifelong learning. Read his full article to find out how we're making a tangible difference in our community's future. 👉 Dive into the Chancellor's perspective on the impact we're making: https://bit.ly/49RY2ZB

So great to see James McIlroy featured on the University Sales Center Alliance LinkedIn page. The work James does for the UNH Professional Sales Group and the UNH Sales Center is critical to one of the many amazing experiential learning opportunities students have access to at UNH Peter T. Paul College of Business and Economics! Watch the full feature to learn more. #PaulPride

Thank you for doing this, Herzog Foundation! There are profound theological and pedagogical reasons to at least be asking these questions. Sure, it blows up much of the way we think about traditional school. But in general, doesn't the assumptions that come from starting with the gospel as our first premise also blow up a lot of assumptions! There's enough data out there about the pedagogical effects on students and their capacities; it provides more time for teachers to prep and to stay sharp throughout the week; it creates more space for recognizing the importance of the family; (if Monday is the day "off,") it encourages greater participation in and enjoyment of our corporate worship. I could go on and on. It's part of the reason why it's one of the first podcast episodes I put together for RenewEd. 24 minute listen here: https://lnkd.in/gaRDXAKk

Shining the SOE spotlight!!

Our latest issue out now!

I'm happy to hear University of Notre Dame will no longer consider a family's financial situation when determining an admissions decision. But I'm disappointed that they have jumped on the misleading "no-loan" messaging. The Myth of No-Loan Financial Aid Packages: What Families Need to Know As college costs continue to rise, some institutions have started offering so-called "no-loan" financial aid packages to attract students. On the surface, these offers seem like a dream come true. However, the reality behind these packages can be more complicated, and in many cases, families still find themselves needing to borrow to cover the cost of education. Let’s break down how this marketing strategy works and why it can be misleading. What is a "No-Loan" Financial Aid Package? When a college advertises a "no-loan" financial aid package, it is essentially promising that the aid it offers will not include federal or institutional loans. Instead, the financial aid will be made up of grants, scholarships, and possibly work-study opportunities. The idea is to eliminate the need for students to take on federal student loans as part of their financial aid package. This sounds like a win-win: students get financial assistance, and there are no loans to repay after graduation. However, the promise of "no loans" doesn’t necessarily mean that college will be affordable for everyone. The Hidden Catch: The Family’s Contribution One of the most significant ways "no-loan" packages can be misleading is through the concept of the family’s calculated contribution to college, now referred to as the Student Aid Index (SAI). Even though the student won't be offered loans in their aid package, the college still calculates how much they expect the family to contribute toward the total cost of attendance. Because this calculation does not factor in a family’s living expenses, this SAI figure will be far more than what families are realistically able to pay. For instance, a family might receive a financial aid package that covers tuition but still be expected to contribute $20,000 per year toward room, board, and other fees. If that family doesn’t have savings or available income to cover this amount, their only option is to take a loan to make up the difference. So while the college stays true to its "no-loan" pledge for the aid portion, families are still left having to borrow in many cases—just not in the form of the loans colleges conveniently exclude from their aid packages. A Disconnect Between Reality and Marketing In this sense, the "no-loan" promise is more about clever marketing than making college genuinely affordable. It allows schools to attract a broader range of applicants by suggesting that they’re reducing the burden of debt. But for many families, the burden of paying for college remains the same. #financial #success #collegesanduniversities #financialaid

A brilliant and inspiring address about the opportunities and risks of artificial intelligence.