BOURBONNAIS, IL (06/21/2013)(readMedia)-- Olivet Nazarene University congratulates those students named to the dean's list during the recently completed spring 2013 semester. To qualify for inclusion on the dean's list, a student must have been enrolled as a full-time undergraduate student and must have attained a semester grade point average of 3.50 or higher on a 4.00 grading scale.

Local residents named to the list are:

Ryan Archer of Moline

Emily Arnold of Prophetstown

Lydia Bilyeu of Fulton

Derek Delgado of Sterling

Liza Dollenbacher of Bettendorf

Jordan Hirl of Clinton

Kaitlin Loos of Sterling

Jacob Mellinger of Moline

Hannah Milby of Sterling

Nicholas Mizeur of Moline

Ainsley Ports of Sterling

Hannah Rowen of East Moline

Olivet Nazarene University is an accredited Christian, liberal arts university offering more than 100 areas of undergraduate and graduate study, including the Doctor of Education in ethical leadership. Olivet has one main campus in Bourbonnais, Ill. - just 50 miles south of Chicago; three sites: Rolling Meadows and Oak Brook, Ill., and Hong Kong; and more than 100 School of Graduate and Continuing Studies learning locations throughout Chicagoland and the Midwest. From Oxford to Tokyo, hundreds of Olivet students also experience the global classroom each year, whether through study abroad opportunities or worldwide mission trips.

WHAT:   Faith in Action - A Call for Immigration Reform

WHEN:   June 27; 7:00 PM

WHERE: Trinity United Methodist Church, 8th & College Ave., Des Moines

DES MOINES - The Network for Immigration Reform, a coalition of 20 organizations in Central Iowa rallying for immigration reform legislation, presents Faith in Action - A Call to Action for Immigration Reform. Trinity United Methodist Church, at 8th and College in Des Moines, will host this event on Thursday, June 27 at 7:00 PM.

Organizers believe now is the time to push Congress to make laws that keep Iowa's cities and towns a welcoming place for immigrants, while allowing families to stay together and creating a clear path to citizenship.

"The faith community has long spoken of 'welcoming our neighbors,' and we are coming together now to send this message to our elected officials," said Naomi Sea Young Wittstruck of the Iowa Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church. "Speaking from our faith traditions, we urge passage this summer of humane immigration reform legislation."

Speakers will include :
•       Rabbi Steven Edelman-Blank, Tifereth Israel Synagogue
•       Bishop Alan Scarfe, Episcopal Diocese of Iowa
•       Bishop Julius Trimble, Iowa Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church
•       Baljit Singh Virdi, Iowa Sikh Temple

Immigrants will share their stories of adjustment, celebration, and continuing challenges in their new communities.

This event follows on the heels of a June 15 march in which 300 people walked through the streets of Des Moines to demonstrate support for immigration reform.

Future events include a July film showing of  "The Dream is Now" (date TBD)

Rally for Immigration Reform - July 27; 2 - 4 pm, Iowa Capitol grounds

Contact: Kathleen McQuillen/AFSC, 515-274-4851, ext: 22
Paul Turner, AMOS 515-554-3433

Q:        What do college-bound students need to know about student loans before school resumes this fall?

A:        Many young adults use the summer months to earn money to help pay for their college expenses in the year ahead.  Even with summer just having started, the first day of fall classes aren't too far behind.  However, most college-bound students will need to finance college tuition through school loans.  Last year, U.S. student loan debt exceeded $1 trillion.  The vast majority of student borrowing is from the federal Stafford Loan program.  Starting in July 2006, the interest rate on all Stafford Loans was set at 6.8 percent as a result of advocacy by student groups who determined that a fixed rate at 6.8 percent was a better deal for students given the history of the previous variable interest rates.  Approximately 40 percent of federal Stafford loans are awarded based on need with the taxpayers paying the interest on the loan while students are in school.  About 7.7 million undergraduate students are expected to apply for this subset of subsidized Stafford loans for the 2013-2014 academic year.  Special interest rates on these loans were set temporarily at 3.4 percent for the past two years.  On July 1, the original 6.8 interest rate is scheduled to be reinstated for all new Stafford loans.  Existing subsidized Stafford loans will not be affected by changes scheduled for July 1.  If the interest rate resets to 6.8 percent, the average student loan borrower would owe about $727 more in interest over 10 years, or $6.06 a month.

Q:        Are changes to the student loan system being considered in Washington?

A:        Various proposals reflect efforts to keep college affordable for students and their families.  Earning an advanced degree is one way to scale the economic ladder of mobility in the United States.  Although policymakers share a common goal to keep higher education attainable for the next generation, it is more difficult to reach a consensus on how to pay for that goal.  The President has proposed a long term solution linking interest rates for new Stafford loans to market interest rates so that students can take advantage of lower interest rates during more difficult economic times.  The House of Representatives passed legislation to revert to a variable rate system in which interest rates on student loans change from year to year based on the market rate.  Senate Democrats have proposed to continue the special 3.4 percent rate for another two years by raising taxes permanently.  Senate Republicans put forward a proposal closely aligned with the President's plan to link student loans to market-based interest rates.  And like fixed home mortgage loans, the rate would be locked in for the life of the loan.  However, while the President's plan maintains different rates for different loans, our plan would allow all students borrowing federal student loans to take advantage of the same low rate.  Let me repeat.  It would help all students take advantage of historically low interest rates, including loans available to parents and graduate students.  With the current Treasury note at 1.75 percent, students taking out a new loan this fall would pay 4.75 percent for the life of that loan.  Since 60 percent of federal student loans have remained at 6.8 percent since 2006, and most students who qualify for the subsidized 3.4 percent loans also have to take out loans at the higher rate, our proposal would result in greater savings for more students compared to the Senate Democrats' proposed extension of the special rate just for subsidized loans.  While it is uncertain which proposal will gain final approval, I will continue championing policies that address the exploding growth of college tuition and fees.  That includes my work to bring more transparency to college revenue and expenses.

Q:        Why is it so complicated to figure out a student's tuition tab?

A: A big part of the problem calls for a fairly simple solution:  Boil down the financial aid mumbo-jumbo into plain English.  Replacing the bewildering information that families receive from each college in which their students receive financial aid award letters with one boilerplate, easy-to-understand letter would be a welcome blessing to families across the country.  Under the current system, many families find it nearly impossible to make an informed decision.  Various definitions are used for grant aid (which does not need to be repaid) with student loans (which do need to be repaid).  That's why I'm working to separate the wheat from the chaff.  The bipartisan legislation I've cosponsored with Senator Al Franken of Minnesota would drive out the cobwebs tangling up financial aid literacy.  Called "Understanding the True Cost of College Act," our bill would create standard terms and definitions for college aid so students and families can make direct comparisons.  This would empower students to better understand their debt burden and avoid taking on more than they can afford.  Even better, this would help students shop around for the best value in the higher education marketplace.  As a result, more colleges would be inspired to rein in double-digit tuition hikes as they compete to keep up enrollment.

Friday, June 21, 2013

Here at the Iowa GOP we've prided ourselves on bringing in solid conservative speakers, time after time, and leading the charge to promote Republicans who stand on principle.

As Co-Chairman of the party I've been truly awed at the amazing response we've had to every one of our events.

I'm proud to serve as Co-Chairman of a party that doesn't shy away from the values of our platform and doesn't back down from speaking a true conservative message.

That's why I'm so proud to announce U.S. Senator from Texas, Ted Cruz, will be headlining our July summer picnic in Des Moines on Friday, July 19th.

Due to the nature of Senator Cruz's brief availability (He's a busy guy defending our conservative values against big government forces in Washington) this will be a lunch-time event.

We've also decided to make this event a more close-knit affair, allowing our guests to meet Senator Cruz in person and spend some time one on one with this true champion of freedom.

We've capped this event at no more than 50 people in order to allow our guests to have that time to meet and talk with Senator Cruz.

The event runs from 12:00pm-1:00pm and includes a great BBQ picnic lunch at the Iowa GOP headquarters in Des Moines.

Tickets will go fast for this exclusive event with one of the Senate's most outspoken conservative leaders.

Like I said, we've capped this to 50 people or less so space is extremely limited.

Please click here to reserve your ticket before we're sold out.

Senator Cruz is just the most recent in a long line of conservative leaders we've brought to the state to showcase the strength of our Republican message. Reserve your ticket here and don't miss this tremendous opportunity to meet and spend some personal time with Ted Cruz.

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