During this period of continued economic uncertainty, higher-education institutions are facing a variety of challenges that by now are very familiar to governing boards and institutional leaders, including poor investment returns, reduced liquidity, limited choices in how they structure debt issues, and threats to flexibility in tuition pricing.…

Describes how Harper Community College in Illinois, partnering with its financial advisor Kane, McKenna Capital, Inc., worked to receive the best bond rating available from Moody's Investors Service, thereby saving taxpayers three million dollars. (EV)

This publication examines the influence of credit ratings on public debt financing and helps to resolve some of the developing controversy concerning this subject. It investigates the rating activities of the two private investment advisory firms--Moody's and Standard & Poor's--and the use of ratings by governmental borrowers, investors,…

This monograph provides an introduction to the procedures of bonding. Although it was prepared for school systems within the State of New York, the information which it contains is of general applicability. The importance of obtaining the services of a national bonding attorney and a financial consultant is discussed. The guide outlines the…

This collection of best practices shares how 18 higher education institutions across the country have successfully evaluated and redesigned their student financial services programs to improve services to students and their parents and find cost savings for the institution. This volume illustrates how other institutions have successfully tackled…

Offers guidelines to aid school districts in planning a sale of school construction bonds so as to minimize interest costs. (JG)

The Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) 1971 Annual Credit and Financing Report describes the financing available for economic advancement of American Indians. The 3 main financing sources cited in this report are (1) customary leaders, both private and Government; (2) tribes and other Indian organizations with funds of their own; and (3) the revolving…

Colleges must investigate financing options before they are needed by their students and be ready to help students find new and creative ways to fund their education. Tax-exempt financing options, new sources of loan capital, cooperative arrangements with state agencies, and new federal aid are among the possibilities to explore. (Author/MSE)

A system using a magnetic card controller and plastic magnetic striped cards at the University of California at Berkeley allows specific transactions to be recorded for eventual billing. The system can be used to control access to as well as dispense a commodity. For journal availability see HE 509 149. (LBH)

The growth of the Student Loan Marketing Association has brought with it new financial products and services, including use of secured lines of credit to fund individual institutions' loans to parents, the Parent Loans for Undergraduate Studies, loans to states, and expanded purchase and commitment options. (MSE)

Encourages educational institutions to strengthen their financial positions by taking advantage of the current "marketing war" among United States banks. Suggests increasing the yield of available funds, reducing idle cash balances, and increasing available investment funds as three criteria for choosing the right bank or combination of…

This article presents arguments in favor of the federal government providing loans directly to higher education students (without intermediate lenders and secondary markets). It explains loan funding, processing, fund dispersal, college responsibilities, and remaining legislative hurdles. It attempts to dispel myths, such as that direct loans…

The U.S. Department of Education Student Financial Assistance (SFA) outlines its three major objectives for fiscal year 2000 in its progress report. The objectives are: 1)customer satisfaction; 2) reduction in the overall cost of delivering student aid; and 3) employee satisfaction. Several new capabilities were added to the Direct Loan servicing…

This guide to paying for college is written for families that expect to pay most, if not all, of the costs of college out of savings, investments, gifts, inheritances, borrowed funds, or a combination. It outlines usual approaches but also indicates some unorthodox methods. Chapters cover the following topics: (1) planning for college expenses;…