Education One easy way for Maine to increase grants for college students with low incomes this year Thanks to federal forbearance on student loan payments during the pandemic, Maine has an opportunity to make college more affordable this year for students with low incomes by […] Jody Harris Posted March 17, 2021 Tags Education, Federal, Higher Education, Student Debt
Education A Third Of Maine Student Loan Borrowers Could Have Their Debt Eliminated Under Plan Floated By Biden Jody Harris, the associate director of the left-leaning Maine Center for Economic Policy, said that cancelling debt could be particularly important for borrowers facing financial distress, who may be at […] Maine Public Posted January 20, 2021 Tags Federal, Higher Education, Student Debt
Maine’s Economy Facing income crunch from coronavirus, debt-burdened Americans need relief now As tens of thousands of Mainers face lays offs and unemployment, two things will happen: With no earnings coming in, they will default on their loans and […] Jody Harris Posted April 7, 2020 Tags Consumer Protection, Coronavirus, Student Debt
Education Student debt collection reform, for-profit college rules top wins for Maine consumers this year While President Donald Trump’s administration continues its efforts to systemically roll back consumer protections, Maine has made moves to protect residents and ward off financial predators. Maine’s […] Jody Harris Posted July 17, 2019 Tags Consumer Protection, Education, Higher Education, Student Debt
Education, Jobs and Income ‘Student Loan Bill of Rights’ will protect Maine students from predatory lenders “This bill will prevent giant financial corporations from padding their bottom lines by preying on Mainers who just want to responsibly pay down their student debt,” Maine […] Beacon Posted June 11, 2019 Tags Consumer Protection, Higher Education, Student Debt
Education, Jobs and Income STATEMENT: Student Loan Bill of Rights will protect Mainers from predatory Wall Street corporations CONTACT Mario Moretto mario@mecep.org 207-620-1101 AUGUSTA, Maine — Jody Harris, associate director of Maine Center for Economic Policy, released the following statement following the Legislature’s enactment Monday […] Posted June 10, 2019 Tags Consumer Protection, Higher Education, Student Debt
Education, Jobs and Income Jody Harris: Maine needs a student loan bill of rights Escalating college debt and rising rates of student loan defaults threaten to derail the benefits of higher education for Maine’s families and our economy. Money that normally would […] Sun Journal Posted May 26, 2019 Tags Consumer Protection, Higher Education, Student Debt
Education Eye on Augusta: Legislature Votes to Ban “Conversion Therapy,” Provide MaineCare Coverage for Abortions, Study the NECEC & More! A 2012 U.S. Senate investigation found that for-profit colleges depend on taxpayer dollars for nearly all of their revenues, yet they overspend on advertising and CEO salaries. […] The Free Press Posted May 16, 2019 Tags Higher Education, Student Debt
Education, Maine’s Economy Student debt relief bond should include targeted aid to Mainers most at risk for default Higher education is a boon to both graduates and Maine’s economy. It increases degree holders’ lifetime earnings, improves business competitiveness, and spurs consumer spending. But escalating college debt and rising rates […] Jody Harris Posted May 9, 2019 Tags Education, Student Debt
Education Debt-free community college would make college more accessible, boost Maine's economy Access to a college education remains the best way for Mainers to boost their lifetime earnings and economic well-being. Yet too often, the cost of college is […] James Myall Posted May 7, 2019 Tags Education, Higher Education, Student Debt