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Find the latest stories, research, and insights on policies, programs, and ideas shaping the national conversation on poverty and economic mobility.
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Spotlight on Poverty and Opportunity leads research and consulting initiatives that identify and address barriers to economic well-being.
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State
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Housing Costs and Financial Challenges for Low-Income Older Adults
Although the average income of older Americans has grown rapidly over recent decades, 6.5 million adults ages 65 and older—14 percent of the older population—do not have enough income to meet their needs.
U.S. News & World Report, July 22, 2015: Working Hard at Your Summer Job May Cut Your Financial Aid
"But there's a potential downside to that college job. Just like parental income, student earnings may boost expected family contribution, a figure which represents what a family is expected to pay for one year of college. And students who over-earn may see a chunk of need-based aid removed from the next year's financial aid package."
The Gazette, July 22, 2015: ACT report: College readiness remains flat among low-income students
"The percentage of low-income students who met college-readiness benchmarks on the ACT exam last year remained flat from the year before, according to a report released this week by ACT Inc. and a national education group."
The Seattle Times, July 21, 2015: Report: Many low-income families don't take advantage of financial aid
"A new report about college-going nationwide underscores how much financial aid is available to low-income families, yet shows that many do not take advantage of it. According to the report by the Urban Institute, 'low-income, first-generation and minority families are particularly vulnerable to misconceptions concerning college costs.' If these families were made more aware of how feasible it is to go to college, they might be more likely to go, according to the report."
Education Week, July 21, 2015: Low-Income Students Continue to Lag on College Readiness Measures
"A new report from ACT, Inc. shows that 96 percent of its low-income test-takers plan to go to college, yet most are not prepared to succeed at college-level work."
LA School Report, July 20, 2015: Report: More-low income kids take ACT, but results are stagnant
"More low-income students than ever took the test in 2014, according to the report, and a high level of them expressed a plan to attend college. But the bad news: performance by low-income students on the test remained stagnant for a fifth straight year."
NJ Spotlight, July 19, 2015: Program's been changing lives of low-income college students for nearly 50 years
"The Educational Opportunity Fund, the state's nearly half-century-old program providing both personal support and financial aid for low-income students entering college, rarely gets a shout-out especially when it actually sees a funding increase."
NBC News, July 19, 2015: Free College? The Idea May Not Be All It's Cracked Up to Be
"According to a Gallup Poll of millennials, college affordability is the top financial concern, and with good reason: The class of 2015 graduated with an average of $35,051 in debt, an all-time high. Underscoring the sense of urgency, 70 percent of graduating students leave college with debt."
MLive, July 17, 2015: Minority grad rate attracts low-income Chicago school scholarship program to GVSU
"Low-income students from one Chicago high school will have an easier time paying for college should they choose to attend Grand Valley State University. GVSU was recently selected as one of 16 colleges participating in the Phoenix Pact, a scholarship program for students at North Lawndale College Preparatory High School in Chicago."
MyCentralJersey.com, July 16, 2015: Grants to help low-income, first-generation students
"The purpose of program is to provide academic and other support services to low-income, first-generation and disabled college students to increase retention and graduation rates, according to a statement."
CBS Philly, July 15, 2015: Philadelphia Corporation For Aging Distributes Produce Vouchers To Low Income Seniors
"Low income senior citizens in Philadelphia are being given vouchers to purchase fresh fruits and vegetables. Senior farmers' market produce vouchers were distributed at Reading Terminal Market, and Sue Gibson, nutrition manager at the Philadelphia Corporation for Aging, says that while Wednesday was their final distribution date here, it's not too late to pick up a voucher elsewhere."
NJ Today, July 14, 2015: NJ Dept. of Agriculture To Provide Free Summer Meals for Low Income Students
"Started in 1976 as an outgrowth of the National School Lunch Program, the Summer Food Service Program is designed to reach those who are age 18 or younger in low-income areas. It also is open to people over 18 who are mentally or physically handicapped and who participate in public or nonprofit private programs established for the disabled."
