National survey data concerning extent and sources of parental financial support for college expenses reveal that support takes the form of both money, primarily from current income, and goods and services and represents intergenerational transfer of resources. Patterns in marital status and other student characteristics from the survey are…

Analysis of data from a longitudinal study of Indiana high school students (n=56) reveals that parents are more interested than students in information about postsecondary education costs and student financial aid. It also suggests efforts to increase family knowledge should focus on general information rather than specific aid programs.…

In excerpts from alumni magazines, the treasurers of Haverford College (Pennsylvania) and Wake Forest University (North Carolina) communicate issues involved in setting tuition and offer unique approaches to explaining the value that students receive at these private institutions. (MSE)

Presents an approach to calculating the costs of college education to maximize students' human capital. When considering college expenses, students often overlook the opportunity costs of income foregone while pursuing degrees. A true-cost calculation worksheet and a strategy for making true costs salient to students (projecting the number of…

This report addresses the dollar savings described in the Government Accounting Office's (GAO) report supporting direct lending as opposed to the present guaranteed student loan program. The critique explains the changes in the GAO model assumptions and projections that are believed necessary to move from the original $4.8 billion savings to a…

This report provides results from a Minnesota state survey designed to identify the characteristics of the students enrolled in Minnesota colleges and how their families are financing their education. Data are presented from survey responses of 5,347 undergraduate college students. Information is presented separately for dependent and independent…

This report describes the status of State and federal financial assistance available to students enrolled in postsecondary institutions located in New York State during the two academic years, 1987-88 and 1988-89. The introduction contains a brief overview of State and federal student assistance programs and highlights recent developments in those…

The "Student Financial Aid Handbook" explains the policies and procedures required for institutions of higher education to administer federally funded student financial assistance programs properly. This volume clarifies a school's responsibility with respect to Stafford and PLUS loans. These loans are offered through two delivery…

This document summarizes recommendations contained in five recent reports on California higher education and is directed to policymakers involved in higher education planning. The five reports were intended to raise public awareness of the major challenges facing higher education in California and to provide policymakers and others with various…

This article examines the characteristics of low-income undergraduates and how they pay for college. It examines their financial need, describes the contribution of financial aid, and presents what is known about how they close the gap between their costs and the amount of aid they receive. (JM)

For all of the attention rising college costs continue to receive, it is striking how poorly informed many decision makers are when it comes to setting tuition and fees. And it's equally astounding that so many institutions are learning the consequences of pricing decisions undertaken solely by trial and error when a wrong judgment can affect…

This paper provides recommendations for the development, implementation, and evaluation of a demonstration program designed to assess direct lending as a replacement for the current federal student loan program. It offers a list of principles which the demonstration project should address. Recommendations include: (1) maintenance of student…

This document answers questions about the EFC (expected family contribution) formula used to determine eligibility for financial aid at institutions of higher education. Questions address the following topics: an explanation of EFC, data sources used in EFC calculations, application processing and student notification, selection of the appropriate…

This guide is intended to assist financial aid officers interpret the coding on the Student Aid Report (SAR), which is sent directly to students, and on the Institutional Student Information Record (ISIR), which is sent directly to institutions, in order to help students make the necessary corrections to their financial aid application data. The…

This document answers questions about the Expected Family Contribution (EFC) used to determine eligibility for financial aid at institutions of higher education. Answers are provided for the following questions: What is the EFC? What is the source of data used for EFC calculations? Who processes the application and how is the student notified?…