Eligibility

The most ambitious federal mortgage program to date aimed at millions of underwater homeowners is poised to take off in the coming two weeks, yet some key issues could hinder borrower participation. One of them involves something most owners know nothing about: Who was your mortgage insurer on your underwater loan? Though it was announced by the Obama administration late last year, "HARP 2.0" — the second version of the Home Affordable Refinance Program — will finally hit full stride around the middle of this month, when Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac finish tweaking their automated underwriting systems to accept applications, and lenders and mortgage insurance companies start handling large volumes of requests.

Question: Shortly after I bought my town home I had to rent it out and move in with my mother because she could no longer live alone. Since I became an owner I've never been late paying my homeowner dues, and my unit is well maintained. Every year the association sends me requests for nominees to serve on the board. I have volunteered my name numerous times and have experience in property management and believe I could contribute valuable service to my community by serving on the board.

Undeterred by documentary evidence and repeated judicial rejection, a group of conspiracy theorists who say President Obama was born in Africa have sued the California secretary of state to demand that she verify the eligibility of all presidential candidates before putting them on the November ballot. Minor party politicians and voters aligned with the so-called birthers filed the lawsuit in Sacramento County Superior Court, noting that their action was on the advice of a federal appeals court ruling last year that they bring their suspicions about Obama's eligibility to a court's attention during an election, not after it. The lawsuit filed by Republican primary write-in candidate John Albert Dummett Jr., Markham Robinson of the American Independent Party of California and five others also alludes to "questions concerning the eligibility" of Mitt Romney to vie for the role of commander in chief.

The number of eligible California high school graduates entering the state's public four-year universities has plunged in the last five years, as budget-strapped institutions increasingly adopt practices to reduce enrollment, a new study has found. At University of California and California State University campuses, enrollment rates dropped by one-fifth, to fewer than 18% of all state high school graduates in 2010, from about 22% in 2007. The report, released Wednesday by the Public Policy Institute of California, found that these declines have occurred even as demand has risen: The number of high school graduates in California reached an all-time high of 405,000 in 2010; the number of seniors who completed college admission requirements increased dramatically, as did the number of students taking and passing Advanced Placement exams.

The nation's top education official praised Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger on Tuesday for signing a bill that will make California eligible for competitive federal education funding. Schwarzenegger signed the bill, SB 19 by Sen. Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto), on Sunday, striking a clause in a 2006 law Simitian wrote that bars state use of testing data to determine educator pay or promotion. "This is a victory for children," said U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan in a telephone interview Tuesday.

Businesses operating in the city of Lancaster will be required to ensure that all new hires are eligible to work in the United States by using an Internet-based federal program to check the immigration and employment eligibility of potential workers. The free online program, called E-Verify, allows participating employers to use federal databases to compare information provided by job seekers with millions of records kept by the Social Security Administration and the Department of Homeland Security.

Inaccuracies and misleading innuendoes appearing in the editorial "Needless Intimidation" (Oct. 30) require correction. The investigative staff referred to are specialized investigators on the Social Services Agency payroll who are solely responsible for the investigation of welfare eligibility discrepancies. In 1988 there were 13,934 general relief applicants who immediately satisfied eligibility technicians without the need of secondary contact or verification by social services investigators.

The CIF Southern Section is investigating the eligibility of several football players at Montclair Prep, Commissioner Ray Plutko said Thursday. Officials at the school in Van Nuys, however, say that all but one of the players have already been cleared. And Montclair Prep Principal V. E. Simpson said he is "very confident" the remaining player under scrutiny will be cleared. Neither Simpson nor football Coach John Hazelton would identify the player. Both said the player's residence is at issue.

Mission Viejo High junior David Frazeur, who is among the county leaders in the 110 high hurdles and the triple jump, has apparently won his battle for eligibility with the California Interscholastic Federation. Frazeur's appeal of a decision by Southern Section Commissioner James Staunton was heard last week by a section appeals officer, who ruled that Frazeur can remain eligible in track and field provided escrow closes on the family's home by Friday, as is expected.

The previous income eligibility requirement for Lifeline, a basic telephone service for low-income subscribers, was $11,500 a year, regardless of family size. The new criteria, General Telephone said, allows one or two people to qualify with an annual income of $11,900, and families of three or more to qualify on a sliding scale. Lifeline service applications will be sent to Lifeline subscribers and General Telephone's 2.

As many as 9,000 struggling homeowners in California could see their mortgages slashed under changes to a program aimed at people who owe more on their loans than their homes are worth. By dropping a requirement that banks match taxpayer funds, state officials are hoping to make it easier for homeowners to reduce their mortgages through the Keep Your Home California program. Rolled out last year, the initiative uses federal funds reserved for the 2008 Wall Street bailout to aid borrowers at risk of foreclosure.

Dave Salo watched his swimmer show up for work every morning in the fall of 2008, armed with more than determination and a desire to erase the past and push the fast-forward button four years. But Jessica Hardy was not going to be able to settle or solve her issues in 24.48 seconds or 1:04.45, her personal bests in the 50-meter freestyle and 100 breaststroke. No amount of training, in or out of the pool, was going to influence the Court of Arbitration for Sport or the IOC regarding future Olympic eligibility for the Long Beach native, who missed the 2008 Games because of a positive drug test.

General Manager Ned Colletti said he wants to explore the possibility of signing Andre Ethier to a contract extension soon after the Dodgers' new owners take over the club next week. "I've always been inclined to keep him," Colletti said. "His start certainly hasn't hurt. " Ethier, who will be eligible for free agency when his one-year, $10.95-million deal expires at the end of the season, drove in 21 runs in the Dodgers' first 16 games. Entering the series against the Atlanta Braves, his runs batted in total was second in the majors behind teammate Matt Kemp's 22. Ethier drove in the Dodgers' first run Monday.

About 200 California public schools, including 30 in Los Angeles County, will be eligible to receive funding for additional Advanced Placement courses through an initiative announced Tuesday. The pilot program, created by the College Board, which administers the AP exams, will provide funding for the next three years to schools that currently offer fewer than eight AP courses but have many students with strong AP potential. The College Board will also pay for teachers to attend AP training courses, and schools will receive funding for textbooks and other materials.

Servicemen and servicewomen have a world of travel bargains available. Here are some areas to explore: Commercial flights - Contact commercial airlines directly or go to http://www.military.com and enter "military travel center" in the search box in the upper right corner to find available discounts. Some airlines also offer military personnel early boarding privileges and waive baggage fees. Be sure to ask. Hotels - Military discounts can be as much as 30% at more than 4,000 U.S. hotels.

UCLA running back Dalton Hilliard swung out of the backfield, caught a short pass and turned it into a quality gain during practice Saturday. The idea of running backs as eligible receivers is essential to offensive coordinator Noel Mazzone's philosophy. But in recent seasons, the thought was treated at UCLA as if it might bring NCAA sanctions. "This is definitely different than our old offense," running back Johnathan Franklin said. "This is going to be a great opportunity to get the ball in space.

Tanoa Weygand's request to play volleyball at Newport Harbor High School was denied Tuesday by Southern Section Commissioner Stan Thomas. Weygand, a 5-foot-9 outside hitter with outstanding power and leaping ability, played his senior season at Konawaena High in Kealakekua, Hawaii, last fall. He moved to Newport Beach midway through his senior year and enrolled for the spring semester at Newport Harbor, which has the top-ranked volleyball team in the Southern Section 4-A.

American writers won't have the chance to win Britain's most prestigious literary award, according to organizers of the Booker Prize. "We took the decision that the Man Booker Prize should remain as it is because its hallmark is that it honors Commonwealth writers," Martyn Goff, administrator of the prize, said Monday. "That is what the prize has built its reputation on over the last 35 years, and its integrity is valued worldwide."

The return of every starting linebacker and defensive back already figured to make USC's back seven formidable this season. The Trojans got potentially stronger Thursday when the NCAA granted Josh Shaw's hardship waiver, making the Florida transfer immediately eligible. "This is like the happiest day of my life," said Shaw, a third-year sophomore defensive back. The 6-foot-1, 200-pound Shaw played in 10 games at Florida last season, starting once. Florida granted the Palmdale High graduate his release to transfer because of his grandfather's and father's health issues, and he enrolled at USC in January.

Undeterred by documentary evidence and repeated judicial rejection, a group of conspiracy theorists who say President Obama was born in Africa have sued the California secretary of state to demand that she verify the eligibility of all presidential candidates before putting them on the November ballot. Minor party politicians and voters aligned with the so-called birthers filed the lawsuit in Sacramento County Superior Court, noting that their action was on the advice of a federal appeals court ruling last year that they bring their suspicions about Obama's eligibility to a court's attention during an election, not after it. The lawsuit filed by Republican primary write-in candidate John Albert Dummett Jr., Markham Robinson of the American Independent Party of California and five others also alludes to "questions concerning the eligibility" of Mitt Romney to vie for the role of commander in chief.