Daily Lumina News 060324

Many students across the country are heading into summer still unsure of their college future because of the challenging rollout of this year's revamped Free Application for Federal Student Aid form. That reality is increasing concerns about “summer melt”—a common issue where students who say they intend to go to college never get there.
Federico Rangel is determined to make sure they do.

The past year has been a tumultuous one for many college financial aid directors—and, not surprisingly, for the head of the National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators, who’s leaving his role as president and CEO after 14 years.
In this interview, Justin Draeger discusses the impact of issues with the new Free Application for Federal Student Aid, possible approaches to make college more affordable, and the state of the financial aid workforce.

According to the latest report from the Georgetown University Center on Education and the Workforce, more than one-quarter of all middle-skill credentials and associate degrees offered nationwide are not in line with the needs of their local labor markets.
That misalignment impacts both local and national economies, as well as the social mobility and economic growth potential of students. The report calls for more intentional partnerships between institutions and workforce leaders, as well as increased guidance to assist students in choosing their educational programs.

Graduation is an important moment for many Americans. More than just pomp and circumstance, the ceremonies mark the moment when students receive the most coveted testimonial in academic life: a diploma.
But for some college students who took part in pro-Palestinian protests, campus activism will cost them their degrees—at least for a while.

The pro-Palestinian encampments that once crowded U.S. campuses have mostly dissipated now, vanishing with the end of the academic year.
But the heightened student protests that erupted in April seem likely to continue in some form when the new semester arrives. This time, however, colleges will have the benefit of summer break to prepare, plan, review, and revise current policies and enforcement efforts.

Since 2008, Occidental College has encouraged undergraduates to become politically engaged. Every two years, all students, unrestricted by major or year of study, can elect to join the school's “Campaign Semester.”
A longtime university president thinks it's time for other postsecondary institutions to move forward with similar programs—and to help students discover the joys and struggles of organizing their fellow citizens, listening to them, and trying to engage in respectful conversation with people who come from different backgrounds.