Daily Lumina News 030823

In California’s far northeast Plumas County, community college students will soon have a rare opportunity: earn a bachelor’s degree and learn skills that could help protect their rural region from destructive wildfires.
The program at Feather River College is courtesy of Assembly Bill 927, which permits California’s community college system to approve up to 30 bachelor’s degree programs annually if they are focused on career and technical training and don’t duplicate degrees offered by California State University or University of California.

As a former first-generation student, Brian Reed knows firsthand the challenges of navigating college on your own—and how a supportive network can make all the difference.
The student success administrator discusses his efforts to help all students make the most of their skills and experiences in this conversation.

Valencia College school trustees are removing the word "equity" from the college's strategic plan as the state of Florida places more and more pressure on colleges and universities over their diversity programs.
Instead of vowing to “advance equity,” the school is changing the phrasing to “creating the right conditions” for students to succeed.

Electric vehicles tend to require less maintenance than their combustion engine counterparts. But when an EV needs a fix, not every mechanic has the know-how.
In New Hampshire, local community colleges are working to bring technicians up to speed.

The FAFSA Simplification Act is expected to have a major impact on the financial aid application process when it goes into effect this July, simplifying the paperwork and changing eligibility criteria.
But on the specific impacts at a national level, there has been little information available. Now, the State Higher Education Executive Officers Association is filling that void with the release of new information that estimates changes in how student and family assets will be calculated and how much students will get.

As the U.S. Supreme Court deliberates whether or not to allow the Biden administration’s student loan forgiveness plan to go through, tens of millions of Americans are stuck in an agonizing waiting period.
Several experts weigh in on the options available to borrowers should the president’s plan be struck down.