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This Week In College And Money News: April 3, 2026


The student loan system is entering a new phase — and borrowers are being forced to adapt quickly. This week, millions of borrowers received notice that it’s time to move on from the SAVE repayment plan, while lawmakers raised concerns about how federal loans are being managed behind the scenes.

At the same time, the government is continuing to clean up past failures in higher education, granting relief to borrowers harmed by predatory schools, while states are taking a harder look at whether certain college degrees are worth the cost.

Here’s a quick look at the most important stories shaping higher education and student finances this week for April 3, 2026.

🎓 Headlines at a Glance

  • SAVE borrowers are being told to choose a new repayment plan.
  • Lawmakers question the shift of student loans to the Treasury Department.
  • Thousands of borrowers will receive automatic loan forgiveness.
  • States move to eliminate low-earning college programs.

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1. SAVE Borrowers Told to Choose a New Repayment Plan

The U.S. Department of Education has begun notifying millions of borrowers enrolled in the SAVE repayment plan that they will need to select a new repayment option.

The transition comes after ongoing legal battles over the program were finally settled over the outcome of the program. Borrowers who do not choose a new plan may be automatically placed into a standard repayment option.

➡️ Impact: Many borrowers could see higher monthly payments, and failing to act could result in less favorable repayment terms.

2. Lawmakers Raise Concerns Over Loan Transfer to Treasury

Lawmakers are questioning the transfer of student loan collections to the U.S. Department of the Treasury, raising concerns about borrower communication, servicing quality, and oversight.

The shift is part of a broader restructuring of how federal student loans are managed.

➡️ Impact: Changes to servicing and collections could affect how borrowers receive information, manage payments, and resolve issues with their loans.

3. Thousands of Student Loan Borrowers to Receive Automatic Loan Forgiveness

The Department of Education will forgive student loans for approximately 164,000 borrowers due to old borrower defense applications tied to misconduct by certain institutions.

This relief is part of ongoing efforts to address borrower harm from schools that misled students about job outcomes, accreditation, or program quality.

➡️ Impact: While this forgiveness provides relief to affected borrowers, it also highlights the importance of evaluating school quality and outcomes before enrolling.

4. States Move to Cut Low-Earning Degree Programs

Lawmakers in Indiana approved legislation targeting college programs with low post-graduation earnings, potentially eliminating or consolidating hundreds of degree programs.

The goal is to align higher education offerings more closely with workforce outcomes and economic demand.

➡️ Impact: Students may see fewer program options in certain fields, but also more pressure to consider return on investment when choosing a major.

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Low-Earning Degrees Will Soon Lose Access to Federal Student Loans

Low-Earning Degrees Will Soon Lose Access to Federal Student Loans
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$180 Billion in Student Loans Are Now in Default, New Federal Data Shows

$180 Billion in Student Loans Are Now in Default, New Federal Data Shows
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GAO: FSA Halted Student Loan Servicer Reviews

GAO: FSA Halted Student Loan Servicer Reviews

Editor: Colin Graves

The post This Week In College And Money News: April 3, 2026 appeared first on The College Investor.

United Airlines to Offer Basic Business Fares


United to Offer Basic Business Fares

United Airlines increased checked bag fees today, but it also revealed that select business class passengers will soon have to start paying for some perks.

The airline is launching basic tiers for its Polaris business and premium economy cabins that come with many of the same perks, but also plenty of restrictions. These new fares will be introduced in the spring of 2026.

So what does this new Base fare look like? Here are the three tiers for Polaris fares:

As you can see, the Base fare takes away seat selection, the ability to make changes, and removes United Polaris Lounge access. Instead you get United Club access and just one checked bag. The next Standard tier gets you seat selection, two checked bags, and Polaris Lounge access. The most expensive Flexible tier is just fully refundable. 

Here’s the chart for United Premium Plus with a similar three-tier setup:

In theory the new base fares should be a cheaper option, but it usually does not work that way. Most likely we will see the current fares becoming Base fares and then the higher tiers getting more expensive.

Let us know what you think!

Vancouver home sales remain nearly 32% below normal as demand stalls




Sales remain well below typical levels, while prices show little movement as weaker condo demand contrasts with early signs of strength in detached homes

Dialled In Records launches in London focused on South Asian music in partnership with The Collective, part of Universal Music UK’s Island-EMI


Universal Music Group UK’s Island-EMI has partnered with South Asian culture platform Dialled In to launch Dialled In Records, a new London-based label focused on developing artists coming out of South Asia and the diaspora.

The deal is structured through The Collective, an ‘entrepreneurial A&R’-focused department within Universal Music Group UK’s Island-EMI.

Dialled In Records launches with two acts. The first is Ahadadream, a producer and DJ born in Karachi, Pakistan, and one of Dialled In’s co-founders, whose production has drawn support from Skrillex, Fred again.., Four Tet, and Pete Tong. His single Bass Dhol, featuring Raf Saperra and Skrillex, is the label’s first release.

The second is Excise Dept, a New Delhi and Mumbai-based multidisciplinary collective that works at the intersection of experimental electronic music and South Asian identity, rapping and singing across multiple regional languages.

For Dialled In, which was founded five years ago by a group of South Asian entrepreneurs, curators and music professionals, the label launch comes as it now also covers live events, international touring, artist development, and cross-border collaborations.

“[Dialled in’s] take on what South Asian music is in 2026 is so refreshing -it challenges and breaks stereotypes.”

Callum Ross, The Collective/Island-EMI

Callum Ross, A&R Director, The Collective/Island-EMI, said: “Coming from an Indian family, I have always admired from afar what the Dialled In brand has meant to, and done for, South Asian culture. I knew I had to work with them in some capacity, and I’m so happy they shared my excitement about starting a record label.

“Their take on what South Asian music is in 2026 is so refreshing -it challenges and breaks stereotypes. There is a vast world of alternative, genre-bending artists across South Asia and the diasporas who are pushing boundaries. The mission is for Dialled In Records to bring them to the world and I can’t wait to get started.”

Dhruva Balram, Dialled In Co-founder, added: “Dialled In has always been about building the infrastructure that South Asian artists deserve but have not always had. We started as a group of friends who believed South Asian creativity could command the global stage. Now, with Dialled In Records, we have the full ecosystem to make that happen: from artist development and live platforms to recorded music and international distribution.

“This isn’t just a label launch. It’s a statement about what’s possible when you build from within the culture, with the right people, and refuse to compromise. Here, our signed artists Ahadadream and Excise Dept will shape their stories, sounds and identities on their own terms.”

“Dialled In represent the breadth and diversity of South Asia, and bring deep commitment to signing, developing and breaking artists on the global stage.”

Nicola Spokes,The Collective/Island-EMI

Nicola Spokes, Managing Director, The Collective/Island-EMI, added: “It’s incredibly exciting to launch Dialled In Records.

“Dialled In represent the breadth and diversity of South Asia, and bring deep commitment to signing, developing and breaking artists on the global stage. Launching the label is a truly special moment and I can’t wait to see what the team will achieve!”

The label launch will be celebrated at Dialled In’s 5th birthday festival on May 30, a one-day event spread across eight venues in Dalston, London, with a capacity of 3,000.

The timing comes as the music industry sharpens its focus on South Asian talent. In April last year, Warner Music Group partnered with entrepreneur and entertainment executive Anjula Acharia to launch 5 Junction, a JV label focused on discovering and nurturing US-based artists of South Asian heritage. Acharia played a pivotal role in launching Priyanka Chopra Jonas’ career in Hollywood and, according to WMG, “has long been recognized for her ability to connect talent with opportunity on a global scale”.

“This isn’t just a label launch. It’s a statement about what’s possible when you build from within the culture, with the right people, and refuse to compromise.”

Dhruva Balram, Dialled In

In 2024, Jay Mehta, Managing Director of Warner Music India, said: “It’s a big positive takeaway for us that many big US labels are now interested in signing South Asian artists.”

For UMG, the latest partnership marks the latest in a series of strategic deals involving South Asian partners and talents. In March, UMG formed an exclusive partnership with Albuquerque Records, an independent record label recently launched by Indian singer-composer Anirudh Ravichander.

In January, UMG acquired a 30% stake in Bollywood production house Excel Entertainment in January in a deal that values the company at approximately $267 million.

Other India-focused deals made by UMG over the recent years include launching a new label called Pentertainment 0075 in partnership with superstar India-based rapper Badshah; striking a strategic partnership with Hindi film production studio Maddock Films and its newly formed music label Mad For Mussic; signing a strategic partnership with India-based talent agency REPRESENT to help introduce Indian music culture to global audiences; and launching label VYRL Punjabi in association with music composer Jatinder Shah. Universal Music India and Capitol Records also teamed up in 2021 on Jason Derulo’s rework of Tesher’s global hit, Jalebi Baby, which was released in 2020.

In 2024, UMG acquired the entire catalog of UK-based South Asian music label Oriental Star Agencies (OSA Ltd.). The deal includes all of the label’s recordings, as well as publishing rights “where held.”

OSA was founded in 1966 by Muhammad Ayyub and his brothers, who had migrated from Pakistan to the UK’s West Midlands in 1961. The business began by importing records from India and Pakistan to the Birmingham area, which at that time was seeing a large number of South Asian settlers who had little in the way of South Asian entertainment in the area.

Music Business Worldwide

What it takes to retire comfortably in America: Nearly $1.5 million, Northwestern Mutual says



Year-round warm weather, hitting the links, and kicking back with the grandkids has long been the quintessential American retirement daydream. While that’s still out of reach for many Americans, most still hope and expect to retire comfortably after 40-plus years in the workforce. 

But what exactly does an ideal retirement look like for Americans? According to a Northwestern Mutual report released this week, Americans think they need $1.5 million to retire comfortably. That’s a $200,000 jump from last year, showing it’s climbing faster than most workers can even save. 

The study, based on a survey of 4,375 adults, found that inflation, longer life expectancies, and growing anxiety about the future of Social Security are all pushing the ideal retirement figure higher.

“The new ‘magic number’ reflects a convergence of factors—from persistent inflation and longer life expectancies to uncertainty about the future of Social Security,” John Roberts, chief field officer at Northwestern Mutual, said in a statement. “Retirement is increasingly complex, and Americans are responding by setting higher expectations for what they’ll need.”

The gap between expectation and reality

The problem with retirement savings isn’t just that the target is high. It’s that most Americans are way off from hitting it. 

Federal Reserve data show that the median retirement savings for Americans aged 55 to 64 is just $185,000, and for those aged 65 to 72, it’s only $200,000. That’s only about 13% of what Americans think they need to retire comfortably, according to the Northwestern Mutual data.

BlackRock CEO Larry Fink has also been outspoken about how unprepared most Americans are for retirement. 

BlackRock, the world’s largest asset management firm with $14 trillion in assets under management, surveyed 1,000 registered voters, asking how much they’d need to retire comfortably, and the average response was roughly $2.1 million—even more than the Northwestern Mutual study showed. 

“That’s a lot. More than I was expecting,” Fink wrote in a 2025 shareholder letter. And “almost no one is close,” considering 62% of those surveyed had less than $150,000 saved for retirement (or only about 7% of what they think they need to retire comfortably).

Is $1.46 million even attainable?

For most Americans, achieving $1.46 million in retirement will depend heavily on when they start saving. 

Northwestern Mutual did the math for us: assuming a 7% annual return on investments, a worker 35 years from retirement needs to save about $385 per month to reach $1.46 million. But if you wait until just 15 years out from retirement, that monthly savings amount would have to jump to more than $4,600.

The math is even tighter when you factor in that 33% of private-sector workers don’t have access to an employer-sponsored retirement account, like a 401(k), according to the National Bureau of Economic Research. Plus, 74% of Gen Z, millennials, and Gen X say they’re struggling to save for retirement because of competing financial priorities, a phenomenon Goldman Sachs calls a “financial vortex,” with 42% of younger workers who say they live paycheck to paycheck.

And it’s not a problem that’s going away, according to Goldman Sachs’ 2025 Retirement Survey & Insights report.

“The long-term reality of managing competing financial priorities remains a persistent challenge for a substantial segment of the working population, particularly for those earlier in their careers,” according to Goldman Sachs.

To be sure: “Averages are interesting, [but] the amount you actually need to save is unique to you,” according to Northwestern Mutual. “Your need will be based on what your retirement might cost.” They suggest discussing with a financial advisor what you want to do in retirement, when you plan to retire, and how long you anticipate your life expectancy to be. 

Social Security isn’t the safety net it used to be

On top of Americans having to worry about saving enough money for retirement through a 401(k) or other savings accounts, there’s also a looming threat to Social Security. According to a new report from the Penn Wharton Budget Model, Social Security’s Old-Age and Survivors Insurance Trust Fund is on track to run dry by 2032—just six years away. Without congressional action, beneficiaries could face cuts of up to 24% in their payments, according to the Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget. 

The average Social Security retirement benefit rose to roughly $2,071 a month in 2026 following a 2.8% cost-of-living adjustment. That’s a meaningful difference, but nowhere near enough to bridge a seven-figure savings gap.

Experts have also said America’s broader retirement system earns just a C-plus grade, with persistent gaps in coverage, savings adequacy, and longevity protection. 

“The U.S. sits in the middle of the global rankings while countries like Australia lead the pack,” Chris Mahoney, the global retirement leader at Mercer, wrote in a March commentary for Fortune. “Without reform, more Americans risk reaching retirement without enough income—or the tools to access what they’ve saved.”

The Savings Expert: Passive Income Is A Scam! Post-Traumatic Broke Syndrome Is Controlling Millions!



Morgan Housel, global expert on personal finance, shares powerful lessons on Warren Buffett’s hidden struggles, Elon Musk’s sacrifices, money trauma and financial habits, how to invest wisely, and the psychology behind saving, spending, and success.

Morgan Housel is a partner at Collaborative Fund, former columnist for The Wall Street Journal, and a speaker on investing, saving, spending, and financial independence. He is also the bestselling author of books, such as: ‘The Psychology of Money’ and ‘The Art of Spending Money’.

He explains:
◼️ Why more money rarely solves unhappiness
◼️ How envy and social comparison drive overspending
◼️ Why extreme wealth often comes at the cost of health and relationships
◼️ How inflated definitions of “wealth” fuel endless consumerism
◼️ Why true happiness comes from family, friends, and health – not luxury

00:00 Intro
02:21 The Importance of Spending Money
04:31 Why Will This Podcast Make My Life Better?
07:42 Is There Something Wrong With Chasing Status?
10:14 What’s the Evolutionary Basis for This Stuff?
15:31 There’s Always a Trade-Off
17:43 Saving Addiction
19:29 Can Money Make You Happy?
24:56 Are We All Stuck in a Status Game?
29:02 Is the “Freedom” Culture Actually Making People Unhappy?
31:00 Your Favorite Form of Saving Is Spending
33:05 Jealousy of Other People’s Wealth
35:04 The Spectrum of Financial Independence
38:45 How Do People Achieve Financial Independence?
41:20 How Does Dopamine Factor Into All of This?
48:55 We’re Wired to Want More
54:39 People Retiring Early Tend to Wish They Hadn’t
55:40 Passive Income Myths
57:54 Ads
58:55 Do I Need to Know Economics for This?
1:04:49 What’s Going On in the World?
1:08:43 How Wealth Inequality Is Dividing People
1:10:38 The Charlie Kirk Shooting
1:18:52 Is There a Way Back From This Divide?
1:23:27 What Should We Be Doing to Help?
1:25:16 Are You Optimistic About the Western Economy?
1:27:11 Favorite Chapter From the Book
1:32:22 Ads
1:34:30 Why You Should Try New Things
1:37:17 Are You Chasing a Lifestyle That’s Not Right for You?
1:40:35 Does Jack Think Steven Is Happy?
1:49:25 Should We Feel Guilty About Lacking Contentment?
1:52:37 The Relationship Between Money and Kids
1:55:30 The Exact Formula for Spending
2:01:53 Humble Bubble
2:03:55 Do You Have Major Regrets in Life?

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You can purchase Morgan’s book, ‘The Art of Spending Money’, here:

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Target & Walmart: Free Honest Flushable Wipes Via Social Nature Rebate


The Offer

  • Social Nature is offering a 100% rebate on honest flushable wipes purchased at Target & Walmart up to $10.99.

Our Verdict

Not sure how these companies are still able to advertise these as flushable considering the plumbing damage and fatbergs they cause. 

When Payrolls Matter Most | EI Blog


The headline monthly payroll estimates are produced by the BLS through the Establishment Survey, part of the Current Employment Statistics (CES) program. The survey collects responses from roughly 119,000 businesses and government agencies, covering about 622,000 individual worksites.

Because these figures are derived from a sample rather than a full count of employment, they are subject to statistical estimation and revision. The closest approximation to a comprehensive count of jobs is the Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages (QCEW), which compiles administrative records from unemployment insurance filings and covers roughly 97% of US employment. For this reason, the QCEW serves as the benchmark to which nonfarm payrolls are periodically revised.

Each year, the BLS benchmarks the CES data to the QCEW. In this process, the payroll level for the previous March is compared with the QCEW estimate, and the difference is distributed evenly across the prior 12 months, rather than applying it all at once (a linear “wedging” adjustment). The result is that the level of nonfarm payrolls is brought into alignment with QCEW data for March of the given benchmark year.

In recent years, these benchmark revisions have been relatively large and persistently negative. Over the past three years alone, adjustments have reduced previously reported payroll employment by a combined 1.75 million jobs.

March HECM bump masks a deeper slowdown


Endorsements of Home Equity Conversion Mortgages surged noticeably last month from a short February, but volumes are still showing weakness compared to second-half 2025 levels.  

Processing Content

HECM endorsements increased 16.3% month over month in March to 2,117 loans, according to the latest data from Reverse Market Insight. While welcome news for lenders of the product, monthly numbers from the last two months are still at the slowest pace since last summer. February volume came out to 1,821 loans. 

Compared to one year earlier when endorsements totaled 2,128, March’s numbers came closer to par, inching down by just 0.5% year over year.

Recent downward HECM trends do not necessarily point to lack of interest in reverse products, though, RMI said. 

“What we can piece together looks like the growth in unit volume has been almost entirely in the proprietary products for several years, particularly when we exclude the HECM refinance waves from 2018-2022,” RMI noted in its monthly endorsement report. 

Unlike the Federal Housing Administration-backed HECMs, proprietary loan originations are not required to be reported in the same manner, making exact comparisons challenging, researchers acknowledged. The growth of proprietary liens offered in the last few years in addition to HECMs has created a more competitive industry landscape, which may favor companies with a diverse set of offerings.

This week, Finance of America, which once consistently topped the HECM leaderboard, announced expansion of a private second-lien draw products to three more states.

Growth by regions

The largest growth in endorsements came from four different government-designated regions: Rocky Mountain, Northwest, New York/New Jersey and Mid Atlantic. All saw loan volume grow by approximately one-third from February to between 133 and 178 endorsements.

Warmer-weather markets continued to top the list on a per-unit basis, however, led by Pacific/Hawaii at 498 HECMs, followed by the Southeast/Caribbean geographic region with 469. 

The top 10 HECM lenders by volume remained the same from February to March, but a change at the top saw Finance of America at 454 endorsements pulling ahead of Mutual of Omaha Mortgage with 409. The latter company continues to lead year-to-date activity with 1,249 compared 1,216 for Finance of America. 

At the same point in 2025, both companies recorded 1,450 HECM loans.

Rounding out the top five for March were Longbridge Financial at 332, Goodlife Home Loans with 107 and newly renamed Onity Mortgage with 58. 

Previously known as Liberty Reverse Mortgage, the HECM lending subsidiary of Onity announced it would cease originations following the sale of assets to Finance of America late last year. Closure of the deal is still pending. 



Boards Are Falling Short on Cybersecurity


At this point, most boards are convinced of the necessity for cybersecurity investments. They get that a serious cyber event is a costly, brand-damaging situation that can devastate operations, dismantle consumer confidence, and even conjure up existential concerns. However, as boards become more focused on cybersecurity, are they paradoxically getting worse at governing it? Year-over-year the cybersecurity situation keeps getting worse. For example, the 2024 FBI crime report, published last spring, revealed that cybercrime losses increased 33% compared to the previous year.