Within California, there is widespread understanding and consensus that college affordability is a challenge that needs to be addressed. Along with this consensus on the nature and implications of California's college affordability problems, there is also emerging agreement about how to tackle it. While this convergence can form the backbone of a…

Federal free-college policies are now at the center of the Democratic higher education agenda. Sen. Bernie Sanders helped move the idea into the mainstream during the 2016 presidential campaign, and other lawmakers have since worked to advance the policy in Congress. Joe Biden effectively put free college on the ballot in 2020 when he fully…

College promise programs are spreading throughout this United States. These programs fund tuition and/or fees for eligible students who are actively progressing toward earning postsecondary certificates and undergraduate degrees. While existing college promise programs have varying designs, each one appears to be seeking continuous and long-term…

This book provides a group of articles concerning the equity and efficiency of prepaid college tuition plans. Chapters: (1) introduce the subject; (2) examine the competing financial theories at play in this field; (3) present a study of the Michigan Education Trust's decision to expand its subscriber base by offering a monthly payment option; (4)…

This book on the financing of higher education is divided into two parts; the first analyzes national trends and the second focuses on the financing of higher education in five states--California, Florida, Michigan, Minnesota, and New York. Three major changes in higher education finance are noted: first, a shift in responsibility away from public…

This monograph investigates and discusses the various approaches of innovative financing initiatives in higher education which have developed over the last few years. The 16 chapters and authors are as follows: "Stresses in the Student Financial Aid System" (Martin Kramer); "Evolution and Prospects of Financing Alternatives for…

The 10 papers in this handbook consider higher education theory and research. Following an opening essay, "Recollections and Reflections," by C. Robert Pace, which offers reflections on higher education as a field, on its evolution, and it future research needs, papers include: "Reflections on the Study of Effective College Teaching…