The stakes are high for the Biden administration and the tens of millions of Americans it has promised up to $10,000 or $20,000 of student debt relief. The Education Department estimates that more than 40 million borrowers could qualify for the program, which it expects will cost some $379 billion, though other estimates are higher.
Nursing shortages have been felt across the country. In New York’s North Country, a partnership of area colleges hopes to bring in a new wave of students looking to join the healthcare field.
State Rep. James Petzke recently introduced legislation to the House Education Committee that will allow community colleges to offer up to three applied bachelor’s degrees in fields with an in-demand workforce. The programs will be subject to approval by the locally elected board of trustees.
Ten approved courses were selected out of a list of 80 courses identified as the most frequently transferred courses into public universities from Oregon community colleges.