Federal government to ensure loans for students

The US Department of Education will spend as much as $6.5 billion to buy loans offered by private lenders to ensure aid for students during the current credit crisis, according to a press release from the organization. The department will spend up to $500 million a week through February to buy Federal Family Education Loan Program loans and will support a program afterwards that will minimize disruption in student lending until a “conduit loan program”begins, according to the department website.

– Mike Napolitano, News Staff

NU professor finds endangered coral can recover

Despite registration on the US Department Endangered Species list, acroporid corals have a chance of recovering to become a thriving species, according to a new study by Northeastern assistant professor Steven Vollmer. Up to six percent of the remaining coral are resistant to the White Band Disease, which is a major factor in the species’ decline, according to Northeastern’s website. This is the first evidence of natural disease resistance in tropical reef corals, according to the website.

– Michele Richinick, News Staff

Discount Grinch and Holiday Pops tickets on sale

The Office of Alumni Relations is offering student discount tickets to “Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas! The Musical”at the Citi Performing Arts Center Dec. 7 and to “Holiday Pops”at Symphony Hall Dec. 13, according to a myNEU announcement. “Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas! The Musical”will be at 5 p.m., and Northeastern students can purchase tickets at $53 per person for the balcony. The Holiday Pops show will be at 11 a.m., and Northeastern students can purchase tickets for $45 for the second balcony. Students can contact Brittany Malitsky at [email protected] to purchase tickets. Tickets are limited and are sold on a first come first serve basis.

– Michele Richinick, News Staff