A massive jump in federal funding to for-profit colleges over the past decade has the Department of Education seriously considering some major cuts. As Bloomberg News reports, federal funding to for-profit schools (e.g. University of Phoenix) has jumped from $4.6 billion in 2000 to $25.6 billion in 2009.

In response, the Department of Education is considering tightening funding rules. The tougher rules, which are expected to be released for public comment in the next several weeks, would require ITT Educational Services Inc., Career Education Corp. and Apollo Group Inc.’s University of Phoenix to show that their graduates earn enough money to pay off their student loans. If for-profit colleges can’t meet the standard, they could lose federal financial aid, which typically makes up three-quarters of their revenue.

The new regulations would pull 300,000 students out of classes and eliminate 2,000 educational programs, according to a study commissioned by the Washington-based Career College Association, which represents more than 1,400 for-profit colleges.

The proposal would reduce opportunities for women and racial minorities who want to go to college, the group said. For-profit colleges have proposed alternative regulations that would require companies to disclose more information about students’ debt and job prospects.

Visit Bloomberg Businessweek for more details.

Calling all college students! You just got back from spring break and the last thing you want to do is fill out a boring census questionnaire, right? Besides, you live on campus, your parents live in a different state or county, you plan to move after college and you figure you’re counted on your parents questionnaire anyway…right?

Well, this year the U.S. Census Bureau is making a concerted effort to obtain a more accurate count of existing college students. Why? So your school can receive its share of political representation, government funding, tuition grants and loan programs, which directly affect you.

Census figures also help establish fair-market rents (for off-campus housing), ensure proper and fair-lending practices (for student loans) and influence decisions about where to locate new stores, restaurants, offices, health-care facilities and other businesses (near campus!). By filling out the census, you will also help your school’s local community get funding to support services like public transportation and recreational programs. Sounds good, right? So what are you waiting for? We decided to dispel a few myths and help get you motivated…

Census Myth #1

As a college student, I can be counted on my parent’s questionnaire.

The census counts people where they live and sleep throughout most of the year. Parents should not include college students on their forms. Residence halls, dorms, fraternities and sororities are considered “group quarters” by the census bureau. Many campuses will make arrangements to deliver individual questionnaires to students living in those facilities. Students who live in off-campus apartments and rooms will receive a census form in the mail.

Census Myth #2

As an international student, I should not fill out a U.S. Census questionnaire.

The census is a count of everyone living in the United States, regardless of immigration or citizenship status. Even though the state or county of your school might not be your voting residence, legal residence or permanent residence, all students living within the U.S. should be counted. However, U.S. students living and studying abroad on April 1 should not be counted.

Census Myth #3

Local taxes will go down if I don’t fill out the census.

Local taxes will not necessarily change if you don’t fill out your census form. However, government funding may be diverted to a different community.

So, get counted! Census information is private and confidential and cannot be used for any other purpose or shared with federal, state or local agencies. More information also is available from the Census Bureau’s by calling (800) 923-8282 or visiting http://2010.census.gov/.

It takes only a few minutes to comply! Most forms, the “short” forms, ask only seven questions. Besides, We Can’t Move Forward Until You Mail It Back.

Alternative Spring Break (ASB) programs (also know as Alternative Break) are becoming a trend at the nation’s colleges and universities, enabling students to dedicate their spring break to community service projects. These programs help facilitate transportation to destinations that desperately need assistance from volunteers. Students work with organizations such as Habitat for Humanity, and in issue areas such as education, hunger, disabilities, animal rescue and the environment.

As a coordinator for the ASB program at Boston University I work with 77 other student leaders and over 300 volunteers to plan over 30 trips this year. The trip that I am leading this Spring will be working with Project Open Hand, an organization that provides meal and nutrition services to people suffering from chronic illnesses. We leave tomorrow morning for Atlanta and I cannot wait to work with and support the Atlanta community!

Service trips can make a huge impact on your life, trust me, I have gone on six. Through the Alternative Spring Break program at BU, I’ve made friends, had fun, explored a new city and helped people in need. I suggest that anyone who is interested do some research and learn about the opportunities that their school offers. Some of the colleges and universities offering Alternative Spring Break include:

• American University
• Colorado University
• Georgetown University (CSJ)
• Mercyhurst College (The Office of Service Learning)
• Suffolk University (S.O.U.L.S.)
• Trinity University
• UMASS Amherst (UMass Civic Interfaith Alliance)
• University of North Alabama
• University of Vermont
• And many, many more…

Many fellow college students will be making a difference in the world and their communities. What are you up to this Spring Break?