Njoro’s ‘Bridging the Gap’ Package Price Plan for Teachers Could Save Thousands of K-12 Students
By The Associated Press Staff WritersAt least 18 schools and colleges in California, Texas and New Mexico have begun offering online package pricing for teachers, with some even allowing students to borrow up to $30,000 in their name.
In a statement, a spokesman for the schools said they have begun to see an uptick in applications from students looking to borrow money for their teachers.
The online package, which costs $199 a month, is part of the effort to bridge the gap between high school students and college and career training programs, according to The Associated Statesman newspaper in Sacramento.
It’s a similar approach to one that has been used in many other states, including Illinois and Washington.
The schools’ move comes after a statewide push to boost student loans, including from a new state-funded program known as the California College Grant.
The package, called the California Teacher Loan Credit Card, allows students to access credit from any school, including local or regional schools, and is designed to provide more access to credit for students who are enrolled in college or career training.
In New Mexico, schools are offering online packages starting at $199, according the Albuquerque Journal.
In California, schools in San Diego, San Francisco, Los Angeles and Santa Cruz are offering the same packages, which start at $349.
The packages were originally designed for students in high school, who often borrow money to pay for college or college education.
Students who graduate high school with $200,000 to $300,000 are eligible for free loans.
The California Teacher Loans Program also provides students with a $50,000 federal grant, and the state is providing up to 15 percent of the amount that the federal government provides.
The move comes amid a nationwide push to increase student loans and the popularity of online payment options.
The Associated Schools and Colleges of New Mexico has about 200 schools and campuses that offer packages for teachers.
In California, a statewide program called the Teach for America program is offering teachers the opportunity to apply for a $15,000 grant, with the first 10,000 applicants getting an $8,000 bonus.
In New Mexico schools, Teach for New Mexico grants for teachers can range from $8 to $25,000.
In addition to the California program, New Mexico is offering online credit to students at schools including St. Joseph’s and St. Mary’s in San Marcos.
A spokesperson for the San Diego Unified School District said that it has been helping students with student loans through its online teacher loan portal since the fall of 2016.
The district also offers online packages.
In Texas, the Houston Independent School District offers online student loan packages to students in grades 8 through 12 and also has student loan debt forgiveness.
It offers online payment plans to students with less than $100,000 of student loan debts, including students with $25 or less in student loan balances.
