In a time of ever-rising college costs, financial aid is critical to increase college access and success. Federal, state, and institutional aid programs help to ensure that students can afford higher education regardless of economic background. Financial aid is most effective when students and families learn about it early enough to make the right…

Discusses various incentives available for individuals and/or families in dealing with college or university educational costs. Describes federal tax legislation passed in 1997 to aid in educational costs. States that proper planning is essential for individuals to ensure they are getting the best treatment and the most after-tax resources. (MKA)

Each year, states spend collectively more than $70 billion to support higher education, but governors and the public do not have accessible, useful information about what students learn as a result of their time in college. Without reliable information about postsecondary learning outcomes, policymakers can not determine which investments or…

In recent years, there has been a growing interest in college access and with it, a growing concern about the debt incurred by students. Analysts on all sides suggest a variety of causes and solutions to this very complex problem. This paper presents a collection of informational items that can be seen as both disparate and connected. We can see…

Historically, the primary role of financial aid was to increase educational opportunities for those with inadequate resources, yet more recently institutional aid is increasingly becoming based on criteria unrelated to financial need. Various political forces have reinforced the institutional tendency to redirect dollars from the mission of…

This report contains a conceptual framework for analyzing costs and prices by evaluating the higher education production function and the determinants of both prices and costs. The framework can be used to strengthen understanding of costs and prices within individual institutions and to inform macro level investments at state and national levels.…

This "white paper" is intended to provide an overview of many questions and issues related to the affordability of higher education in Virginia and to provide a starting point for discussions and deliberations. The paper includes a timeline for the completion of a study of college costs in Virginia by the State Council of Higher…

This paper discusses the role of student loans in college access. Borrowing to pay for education is a sound decision for most students, and student loans are a vital part of college financing policy. There has been a considerable increase in student borrowing, and much of this results from the introduction of the Stafford Loan in 1993. Borrowing…

Explores historical trends in college admissions and financial aid; poses some questions for higher educational policy makers to consider; and offers a benchmark against which to measure practices as the competitive landscape of college admission and financial aid shifts. (Author/MKA)

Provides an annotated list of books, articles, newsletters, and web sites that may be helpful to new and experienced administrators. Explains how some of the resources address financial aid and enrollment management from historical and structural perspectives. Demonstrates how financial aid and enrollment management function in tandem to maintain…

This resource paper provides an overview of student financial aid and discusses the roles and responsibilities of those who play a significant part in the process of providing aid to students with disabilities. The paper also addresses the financial aid application procedure and suggests timelines and resources for those individuals who are…

Reviews literature on the relationship between student aid, college choice, and students' ability to continue their enrollment. Suggests colleges must invent their own financial resources to remain competitive. Discusses the problem of some students having to be periodic consumers (attending when they can afford it). Describes how an understanding…

Discusses the effects on college students of working and borrowing money to cover school costs, specifically looking at academic achievement. Suggests working may be more of a problem, while borrowing may be less than previously thought. Recommends integrating financial and academic counseling to help students plan how to balance their financial,…

The prospect of tuition fee increases for public sector universities has attracted an enormous amount of attention in recent years as governments in all industrialized countries have responded to the converging pressures of increased demands for higher education and rising costs of competing areas of social spending. I show that this dilemma is…

Low-income students and students whose parents have not attended college typically are less likely than middle- and upper-income students to complete high school and attend college, and are thus less likely to reap the benefits of attending college. Lack of information, resources, and exposure to others who have navigated the college process may…