Over the last century, Americans have formed a social contract with higher education through the development of and changes to student financial aid programs. These federal, state, and institutional programs are the manifestation of the value we place on who should and who does pay the costs of higher education. Grants versus loans and low-income…

An annual National Association of College and University Business Officers study finds that institutional student aid is being used as a tool to help shape desired class demographics. An analysis of trends in tuition, net tuition, enrollment rates, net freshman revenue, and freshman student-aid rates is summarized here, and questions raised by the…

Implications for future generations of college loan program changes are examined. The idea of who should pay for college is explored from the perspective of economic theory. It is concluded that new loan programs must be monitored carefully so they do not shift the burden of college payment from parents to students. (MSE)

By examining trends in college affordability, this article explores the extent to which the public perception that college is not affordable is justified. First, the article describes trends in national indicators that contribute to ability to pay, including income growth, health care costs, debt burden, and personal savings rates. Trends in…

Presents an analysis of government policy on higher education finance in Kenya, outlines parameters of an appropriate tuition policy (cost recovery, equity, equal access, affordability, student loan program objectives), and provides a model for simulating loan program outcomes. Suggests several proposed policy and administrative reforms concerning…

This study surveyed 228 students at 4 institutions of higher education in South Wales about their educational debt, finances, employment, and reason for pursuing higher education. It found that although 69% of them had not taken out loans, nearly a third of those who had taken out loans had debt levels above 1,000 pounds. (MDM)

In a survey of urban university students, ways of financing college (working, part-time attendance, residence with parents, and financial aid) were related to background variables (parent education, race/ethnicity, and high school grades) and to outcome variables. Among findings were that significant sex differences existed in effects of residence…

A national survey investigated full-time graduate management students' indebtedness and sources of financing, comparing less competitive/more competitive schools, racial/ethnic groups, and genders. Results indicate that among students who rely on loans to finance graduate education, those who borrow the most can expect to owe $47,000 by…

An annual national survey of college freshmen (n=251,232) indicates that more students are selecting colleges for financial reasons. More also expect to go to graduate school, adding pressure to find well-paying jobs. Students are reporting higher high school grades but showing less interest in undergraduate course content. Women take on more…

Graduating seniors (N=667) in a large high school were surveyed concerning their college plans and understandings of costs. Costs were largely determinant of college plans for children of Spanish-speaking parents, but these students had the most unrealistic estimates of college tuition. Implications for counseling are discussed. (SLD)

Data from the 1993-94 ACT Assessment and a follow-up were examined to see how many black and white students eventually enrolled in what had been their first-choice colleges. Results for 12,448 blacks and 125,298 whites indicate that initial choices by blacks are more liable to change. (SLD)

An annual national survey of college and university trustees indicates five top social, political, and economic areas of concern for higher education: public opinion about higher education; demographic trends; implications of family income and savings rate; effects of recession and unemployment; and the direction of national education policy. (MSE)

DePaul University (Illinois) has addressed the problem of delays in employer reimbursement of tuition costs by extending payment due dates and treating reimbursement as pending financial assistance. Since implementation, enrollment in courses designed specifically for adult students have increased, and withdrawals have decreased. One-third of…

Describes findings from a symposium sponsored by the Civil Rights Project at Harvard University focusing on the following policy issues: What are the most recent trends in state merit aid programs? What are the relevant legal issues involved? Do merit aid programs adversely affect college access for low-income and racial/ethnic minority students?…

A study of 154 recent graduates of York University (Ontario) doctoral programs in natural sciences, social sciences, and humanities investigated the relationship of gender, discipline, characteristics of the supervisory relationship, student financial situation, participation in teaching and research assistantships, and enrollment status to the…