Competitive global marketing fellowship for university and graduate students returns for a second year, expanding into new regions worldwide

Fully funded, eight-month fellowship offers real-world marketing experience, mentorship, a one-week immersive experience at the Cannes LIONS International Festival of Creativity, and experience developing a real client brief.

NEW YORK, Wednesday, October 14, 2026 – The Effie LIONS Foundation announced today that applications are open for the second cohort of its Voices of the Future (VOTF) Fellowship. Applications close Sunday, November 22, 2026, at 6pm EST.

The Effie LIONS Foundation is a global not-for-profit organization committed to building a more creative and effective marketing industry for everyone by empowering future talent through education, experiences, and unparalleled access.

The Voices of the Future program is a fully funded, eight-month global fellowship designed to spotlight and support rising marketing talent in a cohort-based model. Through virtual learning, an in-person experience at the prestigious Cannes LIONS International Festival of Creativity, a real client brief, and access to mentors from global brands, fellows gain the hands-on experience and industry connections needed to compete in today’s evolving job market. The program’s inaugural 2026 cohort brought together a talented cohort of 12 Fellows from 10 countries.

For its second cycle, the Foundation is expanding its global reach, recruiting applicants from new priority markets.

Breaking into the marketing industry is getting more difficult. As employer expectations continue to rise, entry level roles are shrinking with many companies requiring prior experience, digital fluency, and comfort with AI tools as they recruit and hire top talent. Voices of the Future was created to close this access gap, providing skills, networks, mentorship, and real client brief experience to rising talent who are ready to shape the future of the field.

“Our first cohort of Voices of the Future Fellows proved what’s possible when we close the access gap for next generation marketing talent,” said Allison Knapp Womack, Global CEO, Effie LIONS Foundation. “With this second cycle, we’re building on that momentum, welcoming another talented cohort from around the world, into a program designed to prepare them not just for their first role, but for a long-term career in the marketing industry. In its first year, Voices of the Future gave 12 fellows an experience that will change the trajectory of their careers and possibly their lives. Through the fellowship they have seen that there is a place for them in marketing, and they are equipped with the skills, experience and networks to find that place.”

“This fellowship has truly been transformative for me!” said Samriddh Gupta, a 2026 Voices of the Future Fellow from India. “I hope more such opportunities come and change the lives of many students like me.”

Fellowship Highlights

Fellows will be selected globally for the 2027 cohort.

Selected Fellows will receive:

• Virtual learning sessions (February to September 2027)
• An in-person experience at the Cannes LIONS International Festival of Creativity in Cannes, France (June 21–25, 2027)
• Mentorship from global industry professionals
• Portfolio-ready work including strategic thinking, cultural insights, and a real client brief.

The fellowship requires a commitment of approximately four hours per week for virtual program activities, with additional time for the Cannes LIONS Festival immersion trip and real client brief work. All program activities are fully funded by the Effie LIONS Foundation through the generous support of Adobe, the program’s 2027 Presenting Sponsor, and other corporate partners.

Who Should Apply

The fellowship is open to students in their final year of full-time study at a registered post-secondary educational institution who are interested in pursuing a career in marketing.

Applicants must be interested in pursuing a career in marketing. No prior marketing experience is required – reviewers prioritize curiosity, growth potential, strategic thinking, and lived experience.

Applicants must be 18 years of age or older, proficient in written and spoken English, eligible to travel internationally with a valid passport, and available to attend the Cannes LIONS Festival in June 2027.

How to Apply

Applications are completed online and include written responses, short video responses, and a letter of recommendation. Optional work samples may also be submitted. Applications open Tuesday, October 13, 2026, at 6pm EST and closes Sunday, November 22, 2026, at 6pm EST.

To apply, visit: www.effielions.org/votf.

About the Effie LIONS Foundation

The Effie Lions Foundation is a 501 (c)(3) non- profit organization committed to building a more creative and effective marketing industry for everyone by empowering future talent through education, experiences, and unparalleled access. The Foundation is headquartered in New York City and is led by Global CEO, Allison Knapp Womack.

Media Contact:

Nneka Norville nneka@effielions.org

Four Exceptional Pre-Med Students Receive $50,000 Fellowship Grants to Train in Cutting-Edge Interventional Pain and Behavioral Health

New York, NY — Manhattan Restorative Health Sciences (MRHS), a leader in integrative and regenerative medicine, is proud to announce a new class of Medical Assistant Student Fellows—four outstanding future physicians who have each been awarded a $50,000 grant to participate in an immersive, 12-month fellowship focused on interventional pain and behavioral health.

The program is housed at MRHS’s flagship facilities, in Manhattan and New Hyde Park, along with satellite locations across New York City and Long Island. Designed to offer unparalleled hands-on training, this highly competitive fellowship equips students with real-world clinical experience in minimally invasive procedures, behavioral medicine, and patient-centered innovation.

“We are proud to invest in these future leaders who share our mission to move medicine forward through compassionate, evidence-based care,” said Dr. Timothy Canty, Founder and Medical Director of MRHS. “This fellowship is more than just training—it’s a partnership in transforming how we treat pain, trauma, and chronic illness.”

2026 Medical Assistant Fellows:

• Liam Chung, Pre-Med – Stony Brook University, B.S. in Biochemistry (Class of 2026). A Queens native, his own sports injuries in high school, along with his experience working in pain management, shaped the way he thinks about pain and recovery. Drawing from his experience as a Spanish interpreter at Stony Brook HOME, a free community clinic for the uninsured , he is committed to delivering holistic, patient-centered care that addresses systemic health disparities and supports recovery beyond the clinic.

• Sofia Maldonado, Pre-Med – St. John’s University, B.S. in Biology (Class of 2026). A proud Queens native with deep local roots, Sofia was inspired to pursue medicine at age 10 after witnessing an ER physician treat her grandmother. Currently pursuing a master’s in Neuroscience, she brings pediatric clinical shadowing and medical translation experience alongside strong leadership skills to the MRHS fellowship family.

• Abigail Miga, Pre-Med – Fordham University, B.S. in Biological Sciences (Class of 2026). A East Bridgewater, MA, native, Abigail spent the last four years in the Bronx completing her studies at Fordham University Rose Hill. Driven by a lifelong passion for science and a commitment to making a positive impact, she strives to master innovative clinical techniques and continually challenge herself in pursuit of a career in OBGYN or Neurology. Outside of medicine, she is an avid baker and banana bread enthusiast.

• Sage Smith, Pre-Med – University of Chicago, B.S. in Neuroscience and Spanish (Class of 2026). From Washington, D.C., Sage has conducted clinical research involving machine learning predictive models, including a model for quantifying postpartum hemorrhage risk. Outside of her academic pursuits, she is an avid triathlete and theater and opera enthusiast. She is passionate about providing compassionate relief to patients and developing innovative methods to improve clinical outcomes.

Highlighting the program’s early track record of success, both of last year’s pre-Med Fellows, Joaquin Casino and Michelle Cho, earned admission to medical school for Fall 2026, and are now attending the Albert Einstein College of Medicine.

Each fellow will rotate through MRHS’s interventional pain and behavioral health teams, engaging in high-volume procedural clinics, including spinal cord stimulation (SCS), peripheral nerve stimulation (PNS), kyphoplasty, Intracept, and regenerative therapies such as platelet-rich plasma (PRP) and bone marrow aspirate concentrate (BMAC). Fellows will also contribute to innovative non-opioid programs, such as Ketamine-VR therapy for treatment-resistant depression, and transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) for PTSD and anxiety.

Fellowship Details:

• 12-month program
• $50,000 grant per fellow
• Mentorship under board-certified physicians
• Exposure to real-world healthcare delivery, EMR platforms, and multidisciplinary care planning
• Access to MRHS’s high-volume clinics, performing over 40,000 procedures annually

Next Cohort & Application Info

Applications for the next cycle open January 2027. Interested students should send their CV and cover letter to people@mrhsclinics.com.

About MRHS:

Manhattan Restorative Health Sciences is a multidisciplinary medical practice dedicated to optimizing health through integrative medicine, interventional pain procedures, regenerative therapeutics, and behavioral health support. Founded by Dr. Timothy Canty, MRHS champions a low-opioid, high-engagement model of care grounded in innovation, ethics, and equity.

Media Contact:

Manhattan Restorative Health Sciences
(917) 524-7246
info@mrhsclinics.com
www.mrhsclinics.com

Create Source Media LLC announces the upcoming Q1 2027 release of Mindshare: The Download, a cerebral, Black Mirror–style psychological thriller written and directed by Curtis Johnson. The film blends psychological tension with cutting‑edge sci‑fi themes that speak directly to today’s tech‑immersed college generation.

A Story Built for the Digital‑Native Generation

College students today live at the intersection of AI ethics, digital identity, and the psychological weight of constant connectivity. Mindshare: The Download speaks directly to that reality. The film follows Evan, who after joining Mindshare, begins experiencing vivid flashes of a life he does not remember. The company insists these are normal side effects of neural acclimation, but Evan soon discovers that his memories have been edited, replaced, and repurposed. As he uncovers the identity of the man whose memories he carries, Evan realizes he is living a borrowed life, and Mindshare will do anything to keep him from reclaiming his own. The result is a tense, character‑driven exploration of the future of memory, the fragility of identity, and the terrifying ease with which technology can rewrite both.

Early Critical Response

Early reactions from Nelson Acosta (Rotten Tomatoes Verified Critic) highlight the film’s atmosphere, tension, and narrative precision.  Acosta notes that “Johnson has a very fine sense of atmosphere, as every scene feels like part of a puzzle we must solve alongside Evan.” He calls the film “a gripping, cerebral thriller that feels ripped from tomorrow’s headlines,” adding that “Mindshare is the kind of indie sci‑fi that punches way above its weight—intense, stylish, and disturbingly plausible.” (Quoted lines are brief excerpts permissible under fair‑use guidelines.)

Watch the Film – Review and Comment

Create Source Media encourages college audiences, tech clubs, film societies, and digital-culture communities to engage with the official film which is available for Rent or Buy exclusively on Prime Video for a limited time.

Prime Video: ttps://www.amazon.com/dp/B0HLVYNC7N
YouTube Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5xZFIydC18A
Film Page & Updates: https://createsourcemedia.com/film-submissions
IMDb Listing: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt42439606/

Key Credits

Director: Curtis Johnson
Production Company: Create Source Media LLC
Cast: Shane Franklin, Trenell Blanks, Bradleigh Turner, Nancy Hubanks, Amijah Johnson
Distributor Release: Film Hub, January 2027

Why UWIRE Readers Will Care: Mindshare: The Download will spark debate. It is tailor‑made for campus screenings, media‑studies classes, AI‑ethics groups, and digital‑culture communities.

Call to Action for College Media & Student Creators

Student journalists, podcasters, film reviewers, and tech clubs are invited to request a screener, schedule an interview, or feature the film in student media.

In addition to producing original films, Create Source Media now publishes film reviews across its website and Instagram curated for film fans, creators, and students exploring cinema craft.

Website Film Reviews: https://createsourcemedia.com/film-%26-television-reviews
Instagram Film Reviews: https://www.instagram.com/createsourcemedia/
YouTube Film Trailers: https://www.youtube.com/@CreateSourceMedia

About Create Source Media LLC

Create Source Media is a Colorado‑based production company specializing in independent film, narrative innovation, and creator‑driven storytelling. The studio also produces film reviews and digital‑culture commentary across its website and Instagram, expanding its footprint as a hub for emerging filmmakers and tech‑forward audiences.

Contact

Create Source Media
Email: createsourcemedia@gmail.com
www.createsourcemedia.com
Instagram/YouTube: @CreateSourceMedia

Create Source Media L.L.C.
www.createsourcemedia.com

The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi, the nation’s oldest and most selective all-discipline collegiate honor society, has announced its 2026-2028 Board of Directors following an online election held Aug. 1-14.

The new Board marks the implementation of Phi Kappa Phi’s updated governance structure, which introduces staggered terms for directors to strengthen leadership continuity and support the transfer of institutional knowledge and experience from one Board to the next.

Voting delegates from Phi Kappa Phi chapters nationwide approved a one-time transition slate developed to implement the  new staggered term structure. Delegates also elected Michaela Reynolds of the University of Arkansas at Little Rock as the Society’s undergraduate student representative.

The 2026-2028 Board began its term Sept. 1, 2026.

The Board includes:

President
Philip E. Phillips, Ph.D.
Chapter: Middle Tennessee State University | Associate Dean, University Honors College and Professor of English, Middle Tennessee State University

President-elect
Ron Tulley, Ph.D.
Chapter: University of Findlay | President, Calumet College of St. Joseph

Past President
Sharhonda Rush, MBA, MPP
Chapter: Jacksonville University | North America Marketing Manager, BlackLine

Directors
Ronald V. Shaklee, Ph.D. – 1-year term
Chapter: Youngstown State University | Professor Emeritus of Geography, Youngstown State University

Mattia Migliore, Ph.D. – 1-year term
Chapter: MCPHS University | Clinical Pharmacologist, Pharmacist, Educator and Researcher

Christine Kohls, MBA, CFRE – 2-year term
Chapter: Bowling Green State University | Founder and Principal Consultant, Raising Results LLC

Taylor Ruiz, MBA – 2-year term
Chapter: Jacksonville University | Sales Operations Coordinator, Far East Brokers & Consulting, Inc.

Alison Gregory – 3-year term
Chapter: Lycoming College | Director, Loyola Notre Dame Library

Debora Wenger, Ph.D. – 3-year term
Chapter: University of Mississippi | Professor, University of Mississippi School of Journalism and New Media

Graduate Student Representative
Meaghan Caron – 1-year term
Chapter: University of Maine | Ph.D. student at the University of Michigan

Undergraduate Student Representative
Michaela Reynolds – 1-year term
Chapter: University of Arkansas at Little Rock | Undergraduate Student, University of Arkansas at Little Rock

About Phi Kappa Phi
Founded in 1897, Phi Kappa Phi is the nation’s oldest and most selective collegiate honor society for all academic disciplines. Phi Kappa Phi inducts approximately 20,000 students, faculty, professional staff and alumni annually. The Society has chapters on more than 300 select colleges and universities in the United States and its territories. Membership is by invitation only to the top 10 percent of seniors and graduate students and 7.5 percent of juniors. Faculty, professional staff and alumni who have achieved scholarly distinction also qualify. The Society’s mission is to “cultivate a community that celebrates and advances the love of learning.”  For more information, visit www.PhiKappaPhi.org.

CONTACT
Alyssa Papa
Director of Communications
apapa@phikappaphi.org
225-923-7777

New program targets the small, overlooked funding gaps that derail college students; with each scholarship recipient also receiving full free access to the platform’s AI-powered career suite.

DALLAS, TX / August 3, 2026 / PeanutButterJelly (PJELLY), the community-driven digital brand behind the PJELLY ecosystem, today announced that applications for the PJELLY Gap Scholarship open on July 25, 2026, with five students to be selected for awards supporting the Fall 2026 term.

Built for the Gaps Traditional Aid Overlooks

Most financial aid is built for tuition. But students are far more often derailed by the smaller costs no aid package covers – a required textbook, a laptop that stops working mid-semester, an application or certification fee. The PJELLY Gap Scholarship is designed specifically for those moments.

Each award round will select five (5) recipients, with each recipient choosing either:

• A laptop computer to support their studies, or
• A $250 cash award.

The Gap Scholarship is the first structured award cycle funded under PeanutButterJelly’s scholarship allocation framework, through which marketplace commissions are allocated to scholarship funding under the project’s publicly stated policy running through 2028.

How to Apply

Applications will be accepted beginning July 25, 2026, through August 25, 2026, at https://www.peanutbutterjelly.io/apply-gap-2026

Eligibility and selection are straightforward by design:

• Applicants must be members of the PJELLY community – membership is free by following PeanutButterJelly on X and Telegram; existing PJELLY holders also qualify;
• Applicants must be currently enrolled in a college or university and apply using a valid .edu email address;
• Applicants must be 18 years of age or older (or have parental/guardian consent);
• Applicants submit a short essay introducing themselves and describing what the award would be used for;
• Recipients are selected on the merit of their essay by the program’s review process. All eligibility paths are treated equally, and essays are reviewed without regard to how an applicant is qualified.

No purchase of any kind is required to apply, qualify, or be selected. Upon acceptance of their award, recipients will be acknowledged on the PeanutButterJelly Scholarship Board, the platform’s public record of awards – with each recipient’s consent obtained as part of the application terms.

Scholarship recipients will be announced as they are selected, with the first recipient expected to be announced on PeanutButterJelly’s X account on or about August 7, 2026. Additional recipients may be announced on a rolling basis throughout the application period.

“We named it the Gap Scholarship because that’s exactly what it fills,” said a PeanutButterJelly spokesperson. “A $250 gap or a broken laptop shouldn’t be the reason a student falls behind. Five students at a time, we intend to close those gaps and publish every award on our Scholarship Board so the community can see exactly where the support goes. And this is just the starting point: as the marketplace grows, we hope to expand both the number of awards and where they can reach.”

Every Recipient Also Receives the Full AI Career Suite

In addition to their laptop or cash award, each Gap Scholarship recipient receives full complimentary access to PeanutButterJelly’s Career Prep and Career Management suite, completed in June 2026 and fully operational within the Member Portal:

• AI Resume Tool – rubric-based resume scoring and improvement support
• AI Cover Letter Generator – tailored cover letter creation and scoring
• Interview Prep Coach – practice and preparation guidance
• Scholarship Matcher – discovery of third-party scholarship opportunities
• Curated Job Board – centralized job and internship discovery
• Application Tracker – organized management of applications and deadlines

Unlike typical resume checkers, the platform’s AI Resume Tool grades every resume against a fixed, weighted rubric – the same standards a hiring manager applies – and performs literal ATS keyword matching, reflecting how automated screening systems actually filter candidates before a human ever reads an application. The tool is built on strict guardrails: it never fabricates skills, employers, or experience, and it distinguishes genuine qualification gaps from transferable strengths a candidate already has. The design intent is that each award closes a financial gap while the career suite helps close the opportunity gap that follows.

About the PeanutButterJelly Ecosystem

The Gap Scholarship and Career Prep suite build on PeanutButterJelly’s existing ecosystem, which maintains relationships with more than 40 approved affiliate merchants, a community-supported scholarship initiative, and charitable giving programs facilitated through The Giving Block. PeanutButterJelly’s operations are funded primarily through marketplace activity and partnerships, with that engagement serving as the key funding source for the platform’s scholarship awards and hunger-relief contributions.

PeanutButterJelly is required to receive approval and meet established criteria to participate in each merchant’s affiliate program. The project is independently operated and is not endorsed by, affiliated with, or in a joint venture with any third-party brand referenced through standard affiliate programs. PeanutButterJelly participates in standard affiliate programs and may earn a commission on qualifying purchases made using its affiliate links or promotional codes. Commissions generated through marketplace activity are allocated in accordance with the project’s publicly stated allocation policy. PeanutButterJelly is a brand and trademark of Veritas Network Holdings.

This press release is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute an offer, solicitation, or investment recommendation.

This press release contains forward-looking statements, including statements regarding the PJELLY Gap Scholarship application window, award structures, selection processes, platform features, and related initiatives. Actual results may differ materially due to risks and uncertainties, including changes in program design, applicant volume, merchant and affiliate program availability, platform performance, regulatory considerations, and broader market conditions.

Links

Website: https://www.peanutbutterjelly.io
Members Portal: https://www.peanutbutterjelly.io/portal
Scholarship Information: https://www.peanutbutterjelly.io/apply-gap-2026
Marketplace: https://www.peanutbutterjelly.io/marketplace
Donate: https://www.peanutbutterjelly.io/donate
Whitepaper: https://www.peanutbutterjellyjelly.io/whitepaper
Press Updates: https://www.peanutbutterjelly.io/press-updates

Social

X (Twitter): https://x.com/PButterJelly
Telegram: https://t.me/PBJelly_Official
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@pjelly.pbjelly

Media Contact

PeanutButterJelly Communications
information@peanutbutterjelly.io

SOURCE: Veritas Network Holdings

Redefining Student Wall Style with Trendy Photo Borders and Bold, Nail-Free Dorm Decor Solutions

New York, New York (July 14th, 2026) – Today, TilePix, the leader in nail-free wall décor, is excited to unveil its Walgreens-exclusive “Bordered Designs” dorm décor collection. This line will debut trendy patterned photo tile borders created for college students looking to transform their spaces to reflect their personal style. Launching just in time for back‑to‑school season, TilePix’s playful “Bordered Designs” come in a variety of colors and patterns that instantly turn your best moments into customized wall art. Whether showcasing favorite memories, friendships, family photos or creative artwork, the result is an easy, affordable and completely nail-free way to bring personality and color to any dorm room in minutes.

For today’s students, dorm rooms have become much more than a place to live – they are a canvas for self-expression. As social media continues to fuel inspiration around room makeovers, dorm tours and evolving aesthetics, students are looking for affordable and flexible ways to create a space that feels uniquely their own. TilePix’s new “Bordered Designs” dorm décor line helps bring those visions to life with colorful, customizable photo borders designed exclusively for Walgreens shoppers. Featuring patterns like polka dots, stripes, gingham and more, the collection makes it easy to create a look that feels one-of-a kind – with no nails, no tools and no wall damage.

“Students are putting more thought into styling their dorm rooms than ever before, treating these spaces as an extension of their personality and style,” said Kelsey Kinel, Head of Marketing at TilePix. “TilePix has always been a natural fit for college living thanks to our nail-free hanging technology. The launch of our “Bordered Designs” takes the dorm decorating experience to the next level by giving students even more ways to personalize their favorite photos and create a space that feels uniquely their own. We’re thrilled to launch this exclusive collection with Walgreens and bring a fresh new approach to our nail-free wall art for the back-to-school season.”

To add these “Bordered Designs” to TilePix’s prints, shoppers can visit the TilePix page on Walgreens.com, select any TilePix product, upload their photos through the customization tool and select the “More Designs” tab. Then, they should select the “Bordered Designs” folder, choose their favorite pattern, and explore the “Design Variations” tab for even more color options. These curated borders for back-to-college are available on any framed or glass TilePix sold at Walgreens. The “Bordered Designs” are also available on the black and white Classic 8×8 frames for FREE Same Day Pickup* at thousands of Walgreens locations nationwide, making it as easy as a walk to the local campus Walgreens for students to grab their custom décor and bring their dorm gallery vision to life. https://photo.walgreens.com/store/tilepix

GET SOCIAL WITH US:
Instagram: @tile.pix @walgreens
TikTok: @tilepix @walgreens

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MEDIA CONTACTS:
Sabrina Levine Communications
Nicole Waldman | nicole@sabrinalevinepr.com | (805) 404-8152
Maxie Katsikas | maxie@sabrinalevinepr.com | (917) 991-3750

About TilePix:
Having launched October 2022, TilePix’s innovation is flipping the wall décor industry on its head, making wall design accessible, easy, and unbelievably fun. TilePix products are mounted with a patented magnetic hanging system, which means no nails, no hassle and absolutely no wall damage (seriously!). Instead, TilePix reframes the potential of the wall; its magnets enable everyone to hang (…and re-hang and re-hang) custom gallery walls in seconds, making TilePix the leading option for dorm dwellers, apartment renters and DIY enthusiasts. TilePix’s vision is to fill every white wall with creativity because with the right tools and a little guidance, everyone should feel empowered to be creative. Their wall décor is fully customizable. All you have to do is upload your uniquely original photos, art or designs to their site to seamlessly curate the gallery of your dreams. The brand has a diverse assortment of top wall décor products to pick from, like sleek glass prints, skateboard decks, framed photo tiles, canvas, posters, and more. The site also has playfully versatile design tools, like Splits. This creative feature stretches a single image across unlimited amounts of wall décor, bringing an unbelievably larger-than- life statement piece to the home. TilePix ships nationwide and TilePix frames are available for FREE Same Day Pick-up* at over thousands of Walgreens locations across America, making it the perfect option for last-minute shoppers, who need quick gifts or DIY pieces. Its parent brand Tracer is known as the leader in the printing industry, celebrating its 20th anniversary this year. Tracer has deep rooted relationships in printing with big leaders, like Walgreens. TilePix provides unmatched creative resources, unlike other decor brands, to uplift and support designers at various stages of their career. You can shop artist partnership collections like Jonathan Adler on TilePix’s artist marketplace too.

*Pickup in as little as 30 minutes based on national averages, actual times may vary. Available for eligible items when your order is $10 or more (after promo codes & coupons are applied and before taxes). Exclusions and restrictions apply. Visit https://www.walgreens.com/store-services/store-pickup for details.

Deal Includes 1 Gig for $50 per Month, Peacock Premium, Same-Day WiFi, and Up to $200 Virtual Prepaid Mastercard

If the WiFi in your off-campus house or apartment needs to survive multiple roommates, late-night study sessions, hours of gaming, streaming your favorite show and everyone on FaceTime at once, Xfinity has a new deal just for you.

Eligible university students who are living off-campus can now get the nation’s fastest and most reliable network this back-to-school season, with 1 Gig speeds for only $50 per month for one year, plus Peacock Premium, and a $200 virtual prepaid Mastercard.

Don’t need Gig speeds, or looking to keep the budget light? Students can also choose 500 Mbps for only $35 per month for one year, plus a $100 virtual prepaid Mastercard.

Students who sign up will receive Xfinity WiFi equipment and unlimited data included with no annual contract required.

Students can also take advantage of f Xfinity’s all-new same-day WiFi, offering same-day equipment pick-up from any Xfinity store or delivery right to your doorstep for eligible households within hours of signing up. Or, professional installation is an option for students who want the extra help – all set-up through the Xfinity app.

Whether you’re submitting an assignment five minutes before it’s due, interviewing for that dream internship, streaming the big game, or sharing WiFi with a house full of roommates, these plans are built to keep up with college life.

Learn more at xfinity.com/student.

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PRESS CONTACTS

Rachel Williams
Rachel_Zabinski@comcast.com

Natalie Munio
Natalie_Munio@comcast.com

COHEAO’s “Mapping the Gap” report shows how the new federal limits may create operational challenges for clinical programs and smaller institutions while opening strategic financing opportunities for some well-resourced campuses.

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Coalition of Higher Education Assistance Organizations (COHEAO) today released Mapping the Gap: The New Graduate and Professional Loan Caps & The Uneven Exposure Across Higher Education, a national report examining how new federal graduate and professional student loan limits may affect students, institutions, healthcare workforce preparation, and campus operations.

Beginning July 1, 2026, Grad PLUS borrowing will be eliminated for new borrowers, and new annual and aggregate federal loan limits will apply. Graduate programs will generally be subject to a $20,500 annual federal limit and a $100,000 aggregate graduate borrowing limit, while programs that qualify as professional programs will be subject to higher limits.

The report builds from publicly available graduate and professional loan-limit data developed by the American University Postsecondary Education and Economics Research Center, drawing on Department of Education data for Academic Years 2021–2023. COHEAO uses that public baseline to examine how potential financing pressure may vary by program cluster, institution type, state, repayment environment, and response capacity.

Using COHEAO’s program-cluster framework, the report highlights patient-facing healthcare (PFHC) as the largest and most policy-relevant area of modeled exposure, accounting for approximately $6.1 billion — about 70 percent — under the report’s broad workforce definition. The category includes clinical healthcare, allied health, behavioral health, clinical social work, counseling and therapy, and related fields.

The PFHC concentration is especially important because many of these programs are tied to clinical and workforce preparation but do not always fit neatly into federal loan-limit categories. COHEAO’s public-facing PFHC framework includes approximately $2.97 billion in core clinical healthcare exposure, approximately $1.56 billion in allied health exposure, and approximately $563.8 million in advanced and clinical nursing exposure.

“COHEAO’s members work directly with students and families navigating the financial realities of higher education every day. Many programs that communities rely on for clinical workforce preparation face new financing challenges under this new cap structure,” said Karen Reddick, President of COHEAO. “Institutions will need clear communication, coordinated student support, and early planning to help students understand their options before financing questions become enrollment, persistence, or student-account issues.”

The report also shows that exposure varies not only by program, but by campus environment and response capacity. Under COHEAO’s working high-brand definition, 166 institutions account for approximately $3.3 billion in modeled exposure and may have stronger alumni, employer, health-system, advancement, or institutional resources to support targeted responses. Private nonprofit institutions with fewer than 5,000 undergraduate students account for approximately $1.9 billion in modeled exposure, highlighting where smaller institutions may face sharper operational pressure if exposure is concentrated in a small number of graduate or professional programs.

“The new caps should not be viewed as a uniform national shock, but as a localized transition,” said Wes Huffman, Strategic Advisor to COHEAO. “While the change creates distinct student-account and access pressures for some institutions, it also offers well-resourced campuses an opportunity to design proactive, targeted financing strategies.”

For institutions, the findings point to practical planning questions:

• Which programs have borrowing patterns above the new caps?
• Where could gaps show up as unpaid balances or larger payment plans?
• Are private loan options likely to be available on workable terms?
• What role could employers, alumni, foundations, or institutional partners play?

Repayment context and private-market capacity are also central to the transition. Private and state-based education lenders may expand in response to the policy change, but greater market capacity does not guarantee access for students. Some students may have difficulty finding a creditworthy cosigner, face higher rates, be denied, or be discouraged from applying. Prepared with analytical and drafting support from Campus Access Partners, the report uses the GAP Index framework to organize exposure across programs, institutions, states, repayment environments, credit conditions, and campus operations. It is intended to serve as a practical planning resource for campuses and policymakers.

The initial report was released in connection with COHEAO’s Annual Conference in Washington, D.C., and is part of a broader Mapping the Gap series. COHEAO expects to release a companion analysis focused on patient-facing healthcare programs shortly after the conference, including additional detail on clinical, allied health, behavioral health, and related workforce exposure, as well as how professional-degree definitions could affect the exposure map.

Mapping the Gap is available at: https://coheao.org/mapping-the-gap/

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About COHEAO
The Coalition of Higher Education Assistance Organizations is a partnership of colleges, universities, and organizations dedicated to promoting access to postsecondary education. COHEAO members work across student accounts, campus-based lending, payment plans, servicing, collections, borrower support, and higher education finance operations.

Media Contacts: Donna Stelling-Gurnett: dgurnett@hinmanstraub.com

The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi, the nation’s oldest and most selective all-discipline collegiate honor society, today announced the recipients of a 2026 Phi Kappa Phi Study Abroad Grant. The $1,000 grants were awarded to 75 students across the nation.

The grants are designed to support undergraduates, both members and nonmembers from campuses that have Phi Kappa Phi chapters, as they seek expanded knowledge and experience in their academic fields by studying abroad.

“We are honored to support this year’s Study Abroad recipients as they expand their academic journeys beyond the classroom and across the globe,” said Society Executive Director and CEO Dr. Bradley R. Newcomer. “These students exemplify curiosity, leadership, and a dedication to lifelong learning. We look forward to seeing how their international experiences will broaden their perspectives, enrich their education, and shape the impact they make in their communities and professions.”

The selection process for a study abroad grant is based on the applicant’s academic achievement, campus and community service, relation of travel to academic preparation and career goals, a personal statement, letters of recommendation and acceptance into a study abroad program.

Established in 2001, the Study Abroad Grant Program is part of the Society’s robust portfolio of award and grant programs, which currently gives more than $1 million each year to outstanding students and members through graduate and dissertation fellowships, funding for post-baccalaureate development, and grants for local, national and international literacy initiatives.

For the complete list of recipients from the program, please visit www.phikappaphi.org/2026StudyAbroad. The application process for 2027 will open on Dec. 15, 2026.

About Phi Kappa Phi

Founded in 1897, Phi Kappa Phi is the nation’s oldest and most selective collegiate honor society for all academic disciplines. Phi Kappa Phi inducts approximately 20,000 students, faculty, professional staff and alumni annually. The Society has chapters on more than 300 select colleges and universities in the United States and its territories. Membership is by invitation only to the top 10 percent of seniors and graduate students and 7.5 percent of juniors. Faculty, professional staff and alumni who have achieved scholarly distinction also qualify. The Society’s mission is to “cultivate a community that celebrates and advances the love of learning.” For more information, visit www.PhiKappaPhi.org.

CONTACT
Alyssa Papa
Director of Communications
apapa@phikappaphi.org
225-923-7777