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What the Closure of the U.S. Department of Education Could Mean for Current & Future Students (By Chad Williamson)

What the Closure of the U.S. Department of Education Could Mean for Current & Future Students (By Chad Williamson)

In a bold and controversial proposal, federal lawmakers are considering closing the U.S. Department of Education (ED) and transferring the management of federal student loans to the Small Business Administration (SBA). If you’re currently enrolled in an online degree program—or considering starting one—this development could significantly impact your financial aid options. At FocusQuest, we want to ensure you have the information and support you need to navigate this transition with confidence.

What’s Changing?

The proposal would dissolve the ED—long responsible for overseeing federal student aid programs—and move the entire $1.6 trillion student loan portfolio under the SBA. While the SBA has experience in managing large-scale loan programs, its focus has traditionally been on small business financing, not higher education.

Key Concerns for Students
  1. Disruptions in Loan Processing The SBA’s unfamiliarity with student loan infrastructure could result in delays or errors in processing federal aid. As adult learners balancing work and family commitments, any delay in financial aid could disrupt your course enrollment or ability to purchase learning materials.
  2. Uncertainty Around Income-Driven Repayment Plans Federal programs such as Income-Driven Repayment (IDR) and Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) may undergo revisions—or potentially face elimination. These programs are especially important for adult learners who often juggle education alongside full-time employment or public service roles.
  3. Pell Grants and Financial Support Pell Grants, a key source of non-repayable aid for many online students, are currently managed by the ED. It’s unclear whether the SBA would continue offering such grants, or under what terms.
  4. Record-Keeping and Servicing Issues Transferring millions of loan records from one agency to another could lead to data loss or servicing errors. Students may face challenges in accessing accurate payment histories or applying for deferments.
What You Can Do Now
Current Students
  • Stay Updated
    Follow credible news sources and official government communications. Check updates directly from studentaid.gov for the latest.
  • Download and Store Your Records
    Keep digital and hard copies of your financial aid documents, loan agreements, and repayment history.
  • Consider Contingency Plans
    If you’re close to graduation, assess how possible delays might affect your final semester. Explore whether your institution offers emergency financial support.
  • Engage With Your Institution
    Many online universities, including FocusQuest, are preparing to support students during this potential transition. Reach out to your advisor for personalized guidance.
Prospective Students
  • If you’re considering enrolling in a degree program, now is the time to act.
  • Changes to federal financial aid may impact future eligibility and funding availability.
  • FocusQuest encourages all prospective students to take advantage of current aid programs while they are still in place.
  • Don’t wait until uncertainty affects your educational plan
  • Contact FocusQuest today to speak with an advisor and take the next step toward your degree.

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The Power of Connection: How Relationships Drive Student Success at HBCUs

The Power of Connection: How Relationships Drive Student Success at HBCUs

In today’s fast-paced world, where automation and efficiency dominate nearly every industry, one timeless truth remains—relationships matter. While résumés and credentials play a role in career success, personal connections often open doors and create lasting opportunities. This is especially true at Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), where the strength of relationships has been a defining factor in student success for generations.

The Relationship Advantage at HBCUs

For decades, HBCUs have cultivated a unique educational experience that prioritizes mentorship, community, and personal investment. Unlike larger institutions where students may feel like just another number, HBCUs excel at fostering meaningful connections between students, faculty, and alumni. These bonds extend beyond the classroom, shaping careers and empowering students to navigate the professional world with confidence.

At FocusQuest, we recognize that innovation in online education must complement, not replace, the deeply rooted traditions of mentorship and connection at HBCUs. As a student acquisition and success partner (SSP) firm exclusively dedicated to assisting HBCUs and Minority Serving Institutions (MSIs), we help develop online educational programs that expand access while maintaining the personal relationships that set these institutions apart.

Faculty members at HBCUs don’t just teach—they invest in their students’ futures. They take the time to understand their ambitions, guide them through challenges, and advocate for their success. When a student needs a letter of recommendation, it’s not a generic formality—it’s a deeply personal endorsement based on years of mentorship and encouragement.

This emphasis on relationships is especially critical for first-generation college students, who often face unique challenges in higher education. Many are navigating systems that weren’t originally designed with them in mind, making mentorship and advocacy essential components of their success. HBCUs provide a supportive environment where students receive not just academic instruction but also the confidence and network they need to thrive.

Beyond the Classroom: A Lifelong Network

The strength of HBCU relationships doesn’t end at graduation. Alumni remain deeply connected to their institutions, often returning as mentors, donors, and recruiters. This commitment to community creates an intergenerational support system that continues to uplift students long after they leave campus.

HBCU homecomings, for example, are more than just celebrations—they are reunions of a family bonded by shared experiences and a commitment to collective progress. These gatherings reinforce the idea that success is not just about individual achievement but about lifting others as we climb.

For students, this network is invaluable. Whether it’s securing internships, job opportunities, or professional mentorship, the relationships formed at HBCUs create pathways to success that extend well beyond a degree. These personal connections ensure that students don’t just enter the workforce but do so with confidence, support, and a built-in network of advocates.

Preserving What Makes HBCUs Special

In an era where higher education faces increasing pressure to scale up and streamline processes, HBCUs must resist the urge to conform to a one-size-fits-all model. While affordability and access are crucial, they should never come at the cost of the personal connections that make these institutions unique. HBCUs are not simply degree-granting institutions—they are incubators of leadership, innovation, and community.

As conversations about the future of higher education continue, it is essential to highlight the unparalleled value of HBCUs. These institutions are not relics of the past but blueprints for the future—demonstrating that education is most impactful when built on relationships.

At FocusQuest, we understand that student success is about more than coursework and credentials—it’s about connections. By leveraging innovative online programs without sacrificing the personal touch, we ensure that students have the mentorship, resources, and relationships they need to succeed in an evolving educational landscape.

In the end, it’s not just about résumés. It’s about relationships. And at HBCUs, those relationships are changing lives every single day.

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A Curated Collection of Powerful Talks for Black History Month: Empower Through Dialogue

A Curated Collection of Powerful Talks for Black History Month: Empower Through Dialogue

FocusQuest‘s mission is to provide a platform for learning, growth, and the empowerment of all communities through thoughtful, engaging content. In honor of Black History Month, we invite you to explore a series of thought-provoking talks that highlight key issues surrounding race, justice, and identity. These talks not only honor the history and legacy of Black culture but also encourage meaningful conversations that can lead to greater understanding and change.

 

“The Danger of a Single Story” by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie

Explore how diverse narratives shape perspectives.

In this powerful talk, novelist Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie explores how the stories we tell shape our perceptions. Through her own experiences, she uncovers the danger of a single narrative and how it distorts our understanding of others. By embracing multiple perspectives, we can avoid misunderstandings and see the world in its full complexity.

 

“How to Raise a Black Son in America” by Clint Smith

Gain insights into the challenges and aspirations of raising a Black son in America.

Clint Smith paints a poignant picture of the realities Black families face. In a heartfelt story about an interaction with his father, he sheds light on the fears, challenges, and guidance involved in raising a Black son in today’s America. His talk brings attention to the difficult yet important conversations Black parents have with their children.

 

“The Power of Vulnerability” by Brené Brown

Explore the significance of vulnerability in human connection.

Brené Brown’s TED Talk dives deep into the importance of vulnerability, empathy, and connection. By embracing vulnerability, we open ourselves up to understanding and belonging. Her research reveals how being open and honest creates deeper relationships, allowing us to connect more meaningfully with each other—critical themes for building a more empathetic world.

 

“Color Blind or Color Brave?” by Mellody Hobson

Navigate conversations on race with empathy and courage.

Finance executive Mellody Hobson tackles the complex subject of race in this enlightening talk. She argues that we must move beyond “color blindness” and embrace being “color brave.” Hobson emphasizes the importance of discussing race openly, especially in the workplace, to foster diversity and create a more inclusive society.

“We Need to Talk About an Injustice” by Bryan Stevenson

Understand the imbalance in America’s justice system.

Human rights lawyer Bryan Stevenson highlights the systemic racial injustice in the American legal system. In this gripping talk, Stevenson shares the hard truths about the disproportionate impact of the justice system on Black communities. His call to action urges us to confront uncomfortable truths and work toward real change.

Join the Conversation: #BlackHistoryMonth

These impactful talks offer a chance to engage in important discussions about race, identity, and justice. By listening to these voices and reflecting on their messages, we can continue to grow and empower each other. Let’s honor Black History Month by embracing these conversations and pushing for a more inclusive future.

At FocusQuest, we’re committed to fostering meaningful dialogue that drives understanding and action. Through these talks, we hope to inspire change and empower individuals to engage in the critical conversations that shape our world.

#BlackHistoryMonth #RacialBravery #ConversationsOnRace #TEDx #EmpowerThroughDialogue

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Not All the Same: Although HBCU’s are frequently lumped together, contrary to popular belief, all HBCU’s are not the same. →

Not All the Same: Although HBCU's are frequently lumped together, contrary to popular belief, all HBCU's are not the same.

Each HBCU has it’s own uniqueness; characteristics that distinguish the nstitution from all of the others. The diversity of mission, purpose and programs at HBCUs are emphasized in their brand and should be celebrated.

For example, Morehouse College retains a reputation for what is called the “Morehouse Mystique”. It is the perception that Morehouse men are held to a certain standard. It is perceived that they do not use profanity, don’t smoke, they dress in business casual attire and know how to tie a bow tie. There is an expectation that Morehouse men will be well spoken, articulate and comfortable in leadership roles. These characteristics speak to a distinguished difference that Morehouse offers as an HBCU institution, and the story that conveys the uniqueness of their mission. In case you were wondering, here are just a few of Morehouse’s illustrious graduates:

 
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In 2012, HBCU’s graduated 23% of African-Americans who earn undergraduate degrees in the USA. →

HBCU's graduated nearly 23% of African-Americans who earn undergraduate degrees in the United States.

In 2012, research showed that HBCU’s graduated nearly 23% of African-Americans who earn undergraduate degrees in the United States.

Specifically, “over half of all African-American professionals are graduates of HBCUs, nine of the top 10 colleges that graduate the most African-Americans who go on to earn PhDs are HBCUs, and more than 50% of the nation’s public school teachers and 70% of African-American dentists earned degrees at HBCUs.” (The Role of Historically Black Colleges or Universities in Today’s Higher Education Landscape, International Journal of Education, pg. 227)

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The second week in September, each year, is marked as National HBCU Week. →

The second week in September, each year is marked as National Historically Black Colleges and Universities Week.

The second week in September, each year is marked as National Historically Black Colleges and Universities Week. The week pays tribute to their legacy of promoting equal opportunities for high-quality education. The week includes an annual conference in Washington DC where HBCUs are celebrated and acknowledged. The conference also recognizes select scholars and alumni from the HBCU community.

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The majority of HBCUs were founded as private institutions until 1890 (Second Land-Grant Act). →

The majority of HBCUs were founded as private institutions until 1890 when the passage of the second Land-Grant Act required states to open their land-grant institutions to black students

The majority of HBCUs were founded as private institutions until 1890 when the passage of the second Land-Grant Act required states to open their land-grant institutions to black students or allocate funding to black institutions that could serve as alternatives to white institutions. This resulted in 16 new HBCUs open only to people of color, most of them public institutions. The federal government’s Freedmen’s Bureau, black churches, and the American Missionary Association founded many of the additional institutions that would later become HBCUs.

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When the Morrill Land-Grant Act was passed (1862) only Alcorn State University in Mississippi was open to African-Americans.

When the Morrill Land- Grant Act was passed (1862) only Alcorn State University in Mississippi was open to African-Americans and designated as a black land-grant college.

When the U.S. Congress passed the Morrill Land- Grant Act in 1862 giving federal land to states for the purpose of opening colleges and universities to educate farmers, scientists, and teachers, only Alcorn State University in Mississippi was open to African-Americans and designated as a black land-grant college.