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higher education

Scholar marks 250th by reviving writings of founder who didn't sign Declaration

Illustration accompanying article: Scholar marks 250th by reviving writings of founder who didn't sign Declaration
  • Jane Calvert has spent 25 years championing John Dickinson through the John Dickinson Writings Project.
  • Dickinson is primarily remembered as the founder who wouldn't sign the Declaration of Independence.
  • Calvert described the effort as "a constant struggle."
  • The 250th anniversary of independence has given Calvert a moment to challenge the lingering image of a founder who has been ignored or ridiculed.
 2026-07-02 · 3 MIN READ

Student loan borrowers get 1 percentage point interest rate cut with auto pay

Illustration accompanying article: Student loan borrowers get 1 percentage point interest rate cut with auto pay
  • The Education Department will temporarily increase the auto pay interest rate discount to 1 percentage point for two years starting July 1, 2026, up from the longstanding benefit.
  • Borrowers already enrolled in auto pay will receive the rate cut automatically; new enrollees must sign up by Sept. 30 to qualify.
  • Undersecretary Nicholas Kent said enrollment in auto pay fell from 83% of borrowers in 2019 to 40% by late 2025 after millions stopped making payments during the COVID-19 repayment pause.
  • An undergraduate borrower with a 6.39% loan would see their rate drop to 5.39% under the temporary discount.
  • The change takes effect July 1 alongside the introduction of two new repayment plans and new caps on federal graduate student loans.
 2026-06-18 · 3 MIN READ
Illustration accompanying article: Harvard, Bard Face Fresh Congressional Questions on Epstein Ties