Universities can make students more employable and expand their skill sets by embedding certifications into degree programs, according to a report from Workcred and three higher-education associations. West Virginia University, for example, allows students completing a bachelor's degree in health and well-being to work toward certificates for health education specialists and personal trainers.

University leaders this week continued to press Congress for financial help in the face of the pandemic with a letter to legislators from dozens of higher-education associations. The $120 billion in aid leaders envisioned needing earlier this year has turned out to be a dramatic underestimate, American Council on Education President Ted Mitchell wrote in the letter.

A $1 million grant from Google and the Thurgood Marshall College Fund will establish a Career Readiness Program designed to close the digital skills gap at historically Black colleges and universities. The national Grow With Google online skills training program and customized workforce readiness workshops will launch in 20 schools, with plans to extend to all HBCUs and their approximately 300,000 student by fall 2021.

The College Board has decided that students around the country taking AP tests online can submit answers via email after numerous students were unable to submit their answers during browser-based testing from May 11 to 15. Students who took the test during this time will have to take a makeup test instead of being able to email their unsubmitted answers.

George Washington University, Southern Illinois University and nonprofit Workcred are collaborating on a platform that will allow students to compare credentials such as college degrees and professional certifications. The credential registry also will include apps that allow employers to list their competency and certification requirements.