New York's Tuition Assistance Program (TAP) is described with emphasis on its effect or lack of effect on access, urban students, and middle-income parents. Its role within the three major higher education systems in the state--SUNY, CUNY, and the independents--is examined. (LBH)

The small private college may be a better vehicle for recruiting a diverse student body into higher education than is commonly recognized. The only true competition in higher education is among a few well-endowed private institutions for the best students. It would be shortsighted to eliminate this sector.

Problems affecting the survival of private colleges, including declining enrollment, inflation, costs, efficiency, public attitude, and competition with public institutions for students and federal and state aid are discussed. Thoughts about planning for the future are presented, with focus on planning and support at the state level. (JMD)

Florida has pumped an extra $88 million into its university system this year while other states are scrimping on higher education. The state's drive is to turn its university system into one of the most respected in the country.

While private institutions flourished in Massachusetts, it is suggested, there was little interest in developing state-supported institutions of higher education. The comprehensive overhaul of an uncoordinated network of 28 institutions on 30 campuses governed by six autonomous boards is described. (MLW)

College student population trends are analyzed and charted, including first-time freshmen as a percentage of all undergraduates, total student applications, mean total applicants by institution type, percentage of applicants accepted by institution type, percentage of accepted student enrolling by institution type, high school grades, and faculty…

The first of seven sets of economic indicators for periodically measuring economic prospects for academic institutions is presented. The dominant finding is that the economic growth experienced by higher education in the past decade is slowing down. Key indicators include enrollments, total current revenue, total employment, capital contract…

Public v private competition for students and ways that institutions and policymakers should deal with it are discussed. Private institutions vulnerable to competition from the public sector, how private institutions can survive, the tuition gap, and planning policies of public higher education are described. (MLW)

The impact of the migration of students from state to state on enrollment trends is discussed. Migration data of first-time freshmen is presented, using figures collected from institutions by the National Center for Education Statistics. (MLW)