This Week In College And Money News: April 17, 2026
Hampshire College closes, student loans get auto-discharged, Georgia raises tuition, and PSLF faces new threats. This week’s college and money news.
Robert’s latest articles
California Tops List of States With Highest Student Aid Fraud at $171 Million
The Department of Education says FAFSA identity verification blocked $1B+ in student aid fraud. California led with $171M prevented. Here’s the state-by-state breakdown.
Democratic Senators File Resolution to Block Trump PSLF Employer Restrictions
Democratic senators introduced a resolution to overturn the Trump PSLF rule restricting qualifying employers. Here’s what borrowers need to know.
89,720 PSLF Buyback Applications Are Pending — But Many Borrowers Won’t Need Them
The PSLF Buyback backlog grew to 89,720 in March 2026. With a 27-month wait, many borrowers will hit 120 PSLF payments before their buyback is processed.
554,000 Borrowers Still Stuck in Student Loan Repayment Backlog Despite Record Processing
The student loan IDR backlog fell to 553,966 in March 2026, and loan forgiveness resumed with 21,200 discharges after two months of zero cancellations.
New Bills Propose Lowering Federal Student Loan Rates Starting July 2026
Two new bills in Congress would cut federal student loan interest to 0% or 2% for 43 million borrowers. Here’s what each proposes and why it may not matter as much as you think.
Why You Shouldn’t Name Minor Children As Beneficiaries
Naming minor children as beneficiaries can freeze funds and trigger costly court proceedings. Learn better alternatives like trusts and UTMA.
College Board’s Education Pays 2026 Report Confirms: A Degree Still Pays Off
College Board’s Education Pays 2026 shows bachelor’s degree holders earn $31,200 more per year. See the latest earnings data and break-even analysis.
Tony Thurmond Backs Billionaire Tax For K-14 Schools As He Runs for California Governor
Tony Thurmond and Sonya Christian discussed dual enrollment, literacy goals, and K-14 funding at the ASU+GSV Summit. Here are the key takeaways.
5 Beneficiary Designation Mistakes That Can Wreck Your Estate Plan
Outdated beneficiary forms can override your will and send retirement savings to the wrong person. Here are 5 mistakes to fix now.
Best High-Yield Savings Accounts In September 2026
We break down the best high yield savings accounts for 2026 so that you can earn the highest interest on your money easily.