New options for student loan borrowers, an unexpected dating boom tied to the FIFA World Cup and renewed efforts to eliminate twice-yearly clock changes are among the developments drawing attention in Atlanta and across the country.
Borrowers with federal student loans may soon have access to additional financial relief through the government’s new Repayment Assistance Program, known as RAP. The program allows participants to make monthly payments based on their income, ranging from 1% to 10% of what they earn.
The plan also offers additional savings for families, reducing monthly payments by $50 for each dependent. Borrowers who make 360 consecutive on-time payments may qualify for an interest waiver and matching principal payments intended to help lower balances more quickly. Applications for the program are available online.
Meanwhile, Atlanta’s role as a host city for the FIFA World Cup continues to generate excitement beyond the matches themselves. On Wednesday, Argentina rallied late to defeat England 2-1, earning a spot in the tournament final against Spain.
The competition has also had an unexpected effect on the city’s social scene. According to a recent survey, Atlanta ranked second in the nation for romance during the World Cup, with nearly half of the singles surveyed reporting that they had gone on dates or become romantically involved with visitors attending the tournament.
Local businesses, restaurants and entertainment venues have benefited from the influx of international travelers, and city leaders continue to point to the economic and cultural impact of hosting one of the world’s most popular sporting events.
At the federal level, lawmakers are once again debating whether Americans should continue changing their clocks twice a year. The U.S. House of Representatives recently approved the Sunshine Protection Act, which would make Daylight Saving Time permanent.
If enacted, the change would eliminate the need to “spring forward” and “fall back” each year. Supporters argue that permanent daylight saving time would provide more daylight in the evening, while critics have expressed concerns about darker mornings during the winter months.
The measure must still pass the Senate before it can become law, though its future remains uncertain.
