gas/heating cost schooling cost and more.

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Utility to help low-income families

Associated Press


KANSAS CITY, Mo. - Missouri Gas Energy will make $250,000 available to help low-income customers in the area pay their heating bills.

The money comes from a pilot program in Joplin that collected more money than it needed for utility customers there. The Missouri Public Service Commission approved a request Tuesday making the money available to customers outside the Joplin area.

Pam Levetzow, a spokeswoman for the utility, said it will take a few days to release the money to Mid America Assistance Coalition in Kansas City, which will administer the funds. State regulators said the order will be effective Feb. 20.

Missouri Gas Energy customers who meet expanded income guidelines can qualify for assistance. A family of four could earn $36,800 and still qualify for help, up to $1,000. A single-person household could earn up to $17,960 to receive aid.

The Joplin pilot program started in 2001 when 8 cents was added to residential customers' monthly bills

www.twincities.com/mld/twincities/business/7930593.htm

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News from NASFAA
Financial Aid on the Web
UNC Chancellor Announces Initiative to Help Low-Income Families (WRAL)

"University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Chancellor James Moeser announced Wednesday a groundbreaking initiative to give children of low-income families an opportunity to attend college without borrowing a penny," WRAL reports. "The Carolina Covenant will enable low-income students to come to UNC and graduate debt-free if they work on campus 10 to 12 hours a week throughout their four years at the school, instead of borrowing, in a federal work-study job. Moeser said the university will meet the rest of students' needs through a combination of federal, state, university and private grants and scholarships."

You can read the complete October 1, 2003 WRAL article on-line.

NASFAA's "Financial Aid News on the Web" provides Association Members with a variety of news and viewpoints on financial aid-related issues that are available on Web Sites. Please note that news sources have widely varying guidelines on how long articles are available on-line. If you attempt to access an article and receive a "not found" message, it is likely that the article has been removed from the site.

Posted October 2, 2003 on www.NASFAA.org, Web Site of the
National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators
Please submit Web Site questions or comments to web@nasfaa.org

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Housing Starts up, HUD Moves to Help Low-Income Homebuyers
By Melissa Mullins
CNSNews.com Editorial Assistant
September 17, 2003

(CNSNews.com) - The housing market continues to lead the economic recovery, according to federal officials, who pointed to Census Bureau data released Wednesday that showed single-family housing starts rising 11.7 percent in August from a year ago.

"This administration is committed to making it easier for more Americans to realize the dream of homeownership," said Housing and Urban Development Secretary Mel Martinez. "The president's housing initiatives will pave the way for more Americans, particularly minorities, to achieve that dream."

HUD and many of its housing industry partners have recently stepped up efforts to get information to consumers about financial assistance, housing counseling and other means of becoming a new homeowner.

The Bush administration revealed several 2004 budget proposals earlier this year aimed at creating inexpensive housing, offsetting regulatory barriers and helping more low-income families become homeowners.

Such proposals include the "HOME Investment Partnerships Program," which the administration has targeted for a $113 million increase to increase the supply of affordable housing. An additional $200 million is earmarked in the budget for "The American Dream Down-payment Fund," to help low- to moderate-income families with the up-front money needed to buy their first homes.

HUD is also asking for another $10 million to go toward housing counseling to help many low-income families discover and maintain homes.
www.cnsnews.com/ViewNation.asp?Page=\\Nation\\archive\\200309\\NAT2003...

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ACTIONS EMPLOYERS CAN TAKE TO HELP LOW-INCOME FAMILIES MAKING THE TRANSITION FROM WELFARE TO WORK
[PDF/Adobe Acrobat]
Families who leave welfare for work are eligible for transitional benefits. • Medicaid for parent and children for up to two years. • Child care assistance for up to two years. ... Did you know you can help your low-income workers make ... tax return—regardless of whether or not they owe taxes. Low income families may qualify for Food Stamps while working ...
www.sccc.org/Education/Employer%20Brochure.pdf

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TheStar.com - Low-income families get help with university
... 01:00 AM. Low-income families get help with university ... $92 million, and the cost of the grants for low-income students and students with disabilities is calculated at $45 ...
www.thestar.com/NASApp/cs/ContentServer?pagename=thestar/Layout/Articl...