By John F. Anderson and Lindsey Wilkerson. Harvard University’s “Pathways to Prosperity” study found persons with a post-high school education will earn $1 million more over their lifetime than those with a high school diploma.
The same study found educated citizens are less likely to be incarcerated, less dependent on government services, have lower mortality rates and are more likely to vote. A higher education degree is a proven road to a better, more productive life and a gateway to a secure, middle class income.
In 2014, the University of Louisiana at Monroe must work with $16.4 million less than it did in 2008. Mandated but unfunded costs previously paid by the state have risen 70 percent. More...

By Koran Addo. Three of the state’s most high-profile academic voices offered biting criticism Friday, denouncing an attitude of indifference toward higher education they see from Louisiana’s citizens, business leaders and lawmakers.
Much of the hand-wringing in Louisiana’s higher education community these days stems from the $700 million Gov. Bobby Jindal and the Legislature have stripped from the state’s colleges and universities since 2008.
The budget cuts are at the root of what faculty describe as a wide array of dismal conditions on college campuses, from crumbling infrastructure and low employee morale, to program cutbacks, staff turnover and ballooning student-faculty ratios. More...

By Holly K. Hacker. America’s colleges and universities are quietly shifting the burden of tuition increases onto low-income students. Yet many wealthy families are seeing their costs rise more slowly, or even fall, an analysis of federal data shows.
The trend could further widen the gap between the nation’s rich and poor, say financial aid experts and a growing number of university leaders. They worry about college degrees drifting beyond the economic reach of many students.
“We’re just exacerbating the income inequalities and educational achievement gaps,” said Deborah Santiago, vice president of Excelencia in Education, a nonprofit group that advocates for Latino and other students. More...

By Stacy Teicher Khadaroo. President Obama visited a Miami high school Friday to raise awareness about the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and outline his efforts to get more students to complete it.
President Obama visited a school in Miami Friday to announce steps to boost the number of high school seniors who apply for college grants and loans.
The FAFSA Completion Initiative, referring to the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, includes new resources to help states and high schools support students who don’t know how to complete the form – or perhaps aren’t even aware it exists. More...