Higher education is a critical tool for social mobility, but today, students and their families face significant challenges. It is against this backdrop that the Bipartisan Policy Center (BPC) convened the Task Force on Higher Education Financing and Student Outcomes. This group has identified several areas of federal policy ripe for reform that…

Forces threatening the fundamental principles and practices of student financial aid are examined, and some advice to the profession is offered. A large dedicated profession has emerged that is skilled at bringing together students, colleges, and resources. (MLW)

Several problems have been identified in the administration of student financial aid programs in California, including high default rates in the Guaranteed Student Loan (GSL) Program, a significant decrease in the number of eligible students receiving financial aid, workload increases in program administration, and unmet needs for financial aid…

This report presents the findings and recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Student Financial Assistance resulting from the committee's ongoing evaluation of student loan programs and their delivery system. The role of the committee is to provide extensive knowledge and understanding of federal, state, and institutional programs of…

Three big-city school systems nearly went bankrupt in the 1970s. New York City, including its schools, ran out of money; Cleveland closed its schools for long periods to conserve funds; and Chicago's schools ran out of credit. This paper narrates these crises, examines the responses of state governments and teacher and custodian unions, and looks…