This book offers a national view of trends and statistics related to today's community colleges. The new edition includes completely revised text as well as updates to charts and tables on topics such as enrollment, student outcomes, population, curriculum, faculty, workforce, and financial aid. Informative narrative introduces and provides…

This paper asks if the proposition that "growth is good" applies with equal force to private business and to private colleges and universities. An increasing appreciation of the fundamental differences in economic structure between business firms and academic institutions suggests that it is easy to make costly mistakes if those…

This analysis, based on data from multiple sources, examines the affordability of higher education in the United States. The report contains information on public and private education, but the emphasis is on public colleges and universities, and the implications primarily affect the states. The principal basis for assessing the affordability of…

This is the final report on the fiscal year of Student Financial Assistance (SFA). It reports on progress toward three objectives: (1) customer satisfaction; (2) reducing the overall cost of delivering student aid; and (3) employee satisfaction. Of the planned projects, SFA completed all but three. One was postponed, one was dropped as not cost…

The cost of attending public, four-year and two-year colleges surged at its highest rate in 3 decades, rising 14 percent over the previous year, although financial aid is up, too. Research shows that state budget cutbacks in education typically result in colleges' charging higher tuition. Higher education officials are expressing concern about the…

Describes how, as tuitions soar and more students seek money to go to college, financial-assistance companies prosper by selling information that is available for free. (EV)

Describes the methods and procedures used for the NPSAS: 2000, which provides information on trends in financial aid and on the ways in which families pay for post- secondary education. Data are from the National Post-secondary Student Aid Study. (SLD)

A review of the current status of state prepaid tuition plans and savings trust plans suggests that there is an accelerating trend toward participation in such programs. Also notes competition among programs and some problems (such as a negative audit in Colorado). (DB)

Discusses how the direct-lending program, popular with colleges, may be doomed; a lawsuit and changing political fortunes pose threats to the system. (EV)

Discusses the origins, philosophy, and current status of student financial aid, asserting that this information is important for orientation personnel as they develop programs and promote a holistic view of student success, including how students pay for college. (EV)

Students face financial challenges in acquiring higher education. According to Michael P. Viollt, president of Chicago's Robert Morris College, there are three mutually reinforcing problems: (1) the higher demands the society places for people to be educated; (2) rapidly decreasing government funding for financial aid; and (3) the perception of…

As the nation struggles to get back on its feet economically, the colleges and universities are working harder than ever to fulfill their mission: to educate the next generation of workers and citizens. In the West that task is arguably more challenging than elsewhere. The region is highly diverse in terms of both demographics and geography, with…

Starting college is indeed one of life's transitions that can be stressful. Many students are leaving home for the first time, leaving the support of family and friendship networks, and embarking on all kinds of challenges, including the stress of academic performance. Now financial distress plays an even bigger role than previously known. The…

Over the last two decades, there has been a significant change in the financing of higher education in the United States. A decrease in student and institutional support in real terms, tuition increases at all types of institutions, along with the view that students are the primary beneficiaries of higher education has resulted in policies that…

This paper presents questions and answers regarding college access and success. These questions include: (1) What is the "achievement gap" and how serious is it?; (2) Is college the best option for all students? If not, why prepare all youth for college?; (3) Can we afford to send everyone to college?; (4) What prevents students from going to…