Women's studies programs, multicultural centers, and organizations to support gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender students are campus fixtures. Few now question diversity's contribution to the education of all students. Jennifer Duffy suggests that it's time to acknowledge, support, and celebrate one more form of diversity that is mostly…

While students have always found balancing their finances difficult, the current generation are faced with unprecedented debt burdens during and on completion of their studies. Student debt is now an expected outcome of attending university and, apart from the negative consequences it may have on participation in higher education, it may have a…

A hearing was held to hear testimony on the rising costs of postsecondary education. Since the early 1980s, tuition and fees of postsecondary institutions have outpaced increases in the rate of inflation and family incomes. Every year, these cost hikes have been two to three times the rate of inflation, and the hearing was intended to explore…

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…

When the Commission on Access, Admissions and Success in Higher Education (subsequently referred to as the commission) convened in fall 2008, the educational landscape was facing a number of issues that the commission's members recognized as formidable challenges to those students who aspire to enroll and succeed in college. Summarizing the…

This brief discusses student borrowing to pay for college in the 1990s. Between 1990 and 2000, student loan volume more than doubled in real terms from $16.4 billion to $37.5 billion, and the number of loans made annually also more than doubled, from 4.5 million to 9.4 million. Data, primarily from the National Postsecondary Student Aid Study,…

A study of the rate of growth in Stafford student loan debt levels compiled average indebtedness figures for graduate students, undergraduate students, proprietary students, and students enrolled in community colleges and other 2- and 3-year institutions. The study also attempted to develop payment stress indicators by tracking payment status data…

Profiles middle income undergraduates in comparison to their lower income and higher income counterparts, examines where middle income undergraduates enroll by price of attendance, and discusses how they pay for postsecondary education, including the role of financial aid. (Author)

Russia has been in a constant state of reforms since 1985. The purpose of the reforms was supposed to be that of improving the production and non-production spheres of society. In actuality, things are a bit different. The losses in the economy in the years of the reforms have turned out to be greater than during the Great Patriotic War. At that…

Enrollment forecasting is the central component of effective budget and program planning. The integrated enrollment forecast model is developed to achieve a better understanding of the variables affecting student enrollment and, ultimately, to perform accurate forecasts. The transfer function model of the autoregressive integrated moving average…

"Education at a Glance: OECD Indicators" is the authoritative source for accurate and relevant information on the state of education around the world. It provides data on the structure, finances, and performance of education systems in the OECD's 34 member countries, as well as a number of non-member G20 nations. Featuring more than 140…

The purpose of the Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant Program (FSEOG) is to encourage schools to provide grants to exceptionally needy undergraduate students to help pay for postsecondary education. This volume provides information about the FSEOG eligibility and payments. The chapters are: (1) "Participation, Fiscal…

The affordability of college is dependent on the cost of attendance, families' financial resources, and the financial aid available from federal, state, and other sources. This report examines college affordability for students who applied for federal financial aid. Less than half of all students (35%) apply for federal aid. In addition to federal…

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…

As part of a review of functions and administrative processes, the Illinois Board of Higher Education commissioned a comprehensive evaluation of higher education grant programs. The evaluation focused on the goals defined in the policy document, "The Illinois Commitment," and the extent to which the grant programs are contributing to the…