Roundup: News You Need to Know, Mon., Nov. 6th

Omaha World-Herald and Inside Higher Education Report on Higher Ed Watchs Investigation of Nelnet Campaign Contributions

The Omaha World-Herald and Inside Higher Education cite Higher Ed Watchs investigation of Nelnets campaign contributions. Higher Ed Watch revealed that Nelnets top three executives gave the single largest individual contributions to the National Republican Congressional Committee (NRCC) in 2006. Nelnets total giving to Congressional candidates and parties reached almost $500,000, with 78% going to Republicans and 22% going to Democrats.

Financial Aid Administrators are Students Primary Source of Student Loan Advice

A survey conducted by Access Group, a nonprofit student lender, found that students primary source of information on education debt is financial aid administrators. Student borrowers take the advice of financial aid administrators above all other resources when researching and choosing providers for regular and consolidation loans. 59% of students end up choosing a lender first recommended by their financial aid administrator.

"Cougar Commitment" at WSU Gives Free Tuition to Low-Income Students

Washington State University (WSU) is following the example of its cross-state rival the University of Washington (UW) and instituting a new, tuition-free financial aid program for low-income students. WSUs "Cougar Commitment," similar to UWs "Husky Promise," will cover all tuition and fees for Washington residents that are eligible for Pell or State Need grantsthose with a family income of less than 65 percent of the states median income, or $46,500 for a family of four. Tuition and fees total $6,448 at WSU. The university expects to waive the tuition of about 865 students next year.

Indiana University Increases Merit- and Need-Based Aid

Indiana University (IU) announced that it will spend up to $10 million a year on four scholarship programs. According to IU, the goal of the additional financial aid is to increase both the enrollment of "high-achieving students" and "minority and first-generation college students." Two of the four scholarships are merit-based, and more than half of the money will be distributed to these new merit scholarships for students who show "strong academic potential" in high school. The rest of IUs $10 million financial aid boost will support two current scholarship programs for low-income and minority students.