Notes in the margins: Merit aid victims, free tuition and buying college spots

Despite Criticism, Education Department Moves Ahead With 'Gainful Employment' Rule The education department confirmed that it had made final revisions to the proposed gainful-employment rule and sent it on to the White House Office of Management and Budget, the final stop before it is made public in the Federal Register. (Chronicle of Higher Education)

British prime minister rejects claim of 'university places for rich' In angry exchanges, David Cameron told MPs that he was considering plans to make it easier for employers and charities to fund additional places - but "rich individuals should not be able to buy their way into universities." (BBC)

Billionaire's role in hiring decisions at Florida State raises questions A foundation bankrolled by Libertarian businessman Charles G. Koch has pledged $1.5 million for positions in Florida State University's economics department. In return, his representatives get to screen and sign off on any hires for a new program promoting "political economy and free enterprise." (St. Petersburg Times)

U.S. News Looks At the Rise in Merit Aid at Law Schools After law schools give merit aid awards to first-year law school students, some of the students lose the awards because they can't meet the necessary first year grade point average to maintain them. The main reason for merit aid at some schools is to raise their admission statistics so they can rise in the U.S. News law school rankings, a New York Times reporter contends. (U.S. News & World Report)

UMass Lowell offers free-tuition deal Students who graduate from a two-year community college in Massachusetts with a 3.0 or better grade point average will be offered free tuition at the University of Massachusetts Lowell. (Associated Press via The Boston Globe)

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