Category Archives: News

Recapping ED Games Expo Week 2020

The ED Games Expo is the Department of Education’s annual showcase and celebration of innovation in education for students of all ages and practitioners in education and special education.

The different technologies showcased at this year’s Expo were developed by 115 teams with funding support from 33 programs across the Federal government, including seven Department of Education programs. Expo attendees demoed an array of learning games and innovative technologies across all topics and forms, such as virtual and augmented reality, maker tools, automated tutors, role-playing simulations, data dashboards for teachers, and assistive technologies.

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Keeping the Promise: Announcing a New StudentAid.gov

By: Chief Operating Officer Mark Brown, Federal Student Aid

New StudentAid.gov

New StudentAid.gov

Hi. I’m Mark Brown, the chief operating officer at Federal Student Aid (FSA). Today marks my first post on the Homeroom blog, and do I have exciting news for you!

StudentAid.gov—your trusted source to learn about, apply for, and manage your federal student aid—is all new and better than ever! Let me explain …

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5 Ways to Pay Off Your Student Loans Faster

The first thing people say when they find out where I work: “Can you delete my student loans for me?” If only I had that power. Just like many of you, I am a student loan borrower. Each month, my federal student loan servicer, withdraws my $381.35 student loan payment from my bank account and I still cringe every time. (Do you know how many trips I could take with that money?) Point is, I understand what you’re going through.

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Learning About Whole Child, Whole School Sustainability on the 2019 Green Strides Tour

By: Bailey Payne

OHPS students recycle plastic caps into elaborate murals that adorn schools indoors and out.

 

The state of Washington is known as a leader when it comes to sustainability.  The Oct. 28-30 Green Strides Tour that I attended highlighted the many different approaches districts have taken in schools located in rural settings, small towns, and even the heart of urban Seattle.

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The Parent’s Guide to Filling Out the FAFSA® Form

2019 Parent's Guide FAFSA

While the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®) form is the student’s application, we know that parents often play a large role in the process. After all, students who are considered dependent have to provide parental information on the FAFSA form anyway and must have a parent sign it. While we recommend that the student start his or her own FAFSA form, we know that’s not always what happens. With that in mind, we wanted to provide instructions for parents who are starting the FAFSA form on behalf of their child so you can avoid running into issues completing the form.

If you are a parent completing the FAFSA form for your child, follow these 8 steps:

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