WBUR Newsroom Election 2008 CommonHealth Blog Radio Boston Blog Boston Weather Climate Connections BBC World News NPR Top Stories NPR's Morning Edition NPR Topics: Books NPR Topics: Movies Fresh Air All Things Considered Marketplace Submit a News Tip RSS Feeds Podcasts Credit Crunch Cuts Student Loans By Bob Oakes Listen to story (Real Audio) The credit crunch is putting a squeeze on paying for college. (AP) BOSTON, Mass. - March 05, 2008 - It won't be welcome news for thousands of college students and their parents counting on getting a loan to pay tuition bills this fall. The non-profit state agency the Massachusetts Education Financing Authority has been hit hard by the tightening in global credit markets. For more on how severe is the problem, we're joined now by MEFA executive director Thomas Graf. RELATED LINKS Massachusetts Educational Financing Authority    From The WBUR Newsroom Comparing Jobless Benefits BOSTON, Mass. (July 25, 2008) As jobless claims rise, people get more unemployment benefits in Massachusetts than in most other states. We compare what it's like for someone in Lawrence with their counterpart across the border in Salem, New Hampshire. From Pump to Pew BOSTON, Mass. (July 25, 2008) A church in West Bridgewater is giving out free raffle tickets to parishioners. The prize: a 50-dollar gas card...and more people in the pews. Strain of Stressful Finances BOSTON, Mass. (July 25, 2008) The faltering economy puts stress on individuals and families, and may lead to a rise in people with mental health issues. We talk with one doctor from Mass. General about the trend and what to do about it. The Bard is Back in Boston BOSTON, Mass. (July 25, 2008) The Bard is back: Shakespeare on the Common returns to the outdoor stage with a full schedule of free shows this summer.