JuicyCampus.com investigated for potential consumer fraud violations
On March 5, the Daily reported on the gossip Web site JuicyCampus.com, which contains specific forums for over 60 colleges and universities. As a result of a student's complaint about a post on the site, New Jersey consumer-affairs officials recently announced an investigation of the site in efforts to determine whether JuicyCampus violates state laws protecting against consumer fraud.
After issuing a subpoena to JuicyCampus, the investigation hopes to determine how the site confirms the college affiliation of its users and will look into how it maintains its policy of requiring users under the age of 18 to submit a parental release form. JuicyCampus officials, however, maintain that they are not responsible for the content written on the site.
Federal education secretary assures stdent loans will be available
On Jan. 31, the Daily reported on the national subprime loan crisis and its potential effects on the ability of college students to obtain loans, with officials confident that lenders would continue giving loans to Tufts students. A March New York Times article reported that federal education secretary Margaret Spellings assured lawmakers that students would be able to borrow money from lenders.
According to Spellings, while a small number of lenders have ceased making loans to federal aid programs, others have risen to fill their spots. But skeptics of Spellings' promises questioned the availability of willing lenders in an increasingly tight credit markets, still fearing that students will be left without help come time to apply for loans for next fall semester.
Columbia University announces increases in financial aid
On March 11, the Daily reported on sweeping changes in financial aid made by elite U.S. universities and the subsequent effect the changes may have on the matriculation yield for the Tufts class of 2012.
Columbia University has recently joined fellow Ivies in upping financial aid offers to students, entirely eliminating tuition for students whose families earn less than $60,000. Students whose family incomes are between $60,000 and $100,000 will see drastically reduced tuition. The plan also replaces need-based loans with grants.
Despite its hefty increase in financial aid, Columbia officials say they will continue trying to make education at the university more affordable and accessible to lower-income students.
