This report examines issues relevant to establishing an Office of Student Financial Assistance (OSFA) ombudsman office within the Department of Education. The OSFA ombudsman office came out of the need to improve student lending program services and to mitigate the impact of loan default on students. It was determined that students involved in…

This report lists schools with fiscal year (FY) 1995, FY 1996, and FY 1997 official cohort student loan default rates that are 25 percent or higher. As a result, these schools are subject to initial loss of eligibility to participate in the Federal Family Education Loan Program, the Federal Direct Student Loan Program, and/or the Federal Pell…

This report lists schools with fiscal year (FY) 1997 official cohort default rate that are 40.1 percent or higher. As a result these schools may be subject to limitation, suspension, and/or termination from all Title IV student financial assistance programs unless they submit cohort default rate appeals. Schools are listed in state order by Office…

This report lists schools with fiscal year (FY) 1995, FY 1996, and FY 1997 official cohort student loan default rates that are 25 percent or higher and have lost eligibility to participate in the Federal Family Education Loan Program, the Federal Direct Student Loan Program, and/or the Federal Pell Grant Program due to prior year cohort default…

Student aid--how many dollars should be provided and where the dollars will come from, what role the institution should play, and how the institution will be affected by federal cutbacks--is discussed. The Illinois Higher Education Loan Authority, a student loan program, is described. (MLW)

An economic squeeze is being placed on colleges and universities through reduced federal and state aid to education. Discusses the history of financial aid, who is considered needy, whether accepting a student loan is wise, the new Direct Loan program, prepayment loans, using college debt to your advantage, and future trends in financial aid. (JBJ)

This article reviews student loan programs around the world; notes the problem of financial inefficiency, particularly in developing nations; discusses strategies to improve loan program performance, such as program targeting and avoidance of hidden subsidies; and considers alternatives to student loans based on principles of deferred payment. (DB)

This exploratory study examines the factors that college students perceive are important in helping them make good financial decisions about paying for a college education. The study categorizes and summarizes students' self-reported responses to an open-ended survey question about recommendations for changes in financial aid counseling practices.…

The Office of Inspector General (OIG) has undertaken a number of initiatives for the 6-month period ending September 30, 1996, to help Education Department managers identify and address issues whose successful resolution is critical to the department's fiscal and management integrity. This semiannual report highlights those activities, which are…

This report presents findings and recommendations resulting from a study on the costs and benefits of a Department of Education policy of encouraging lenders of student loans to grant forbearances to borrowers who experience temporary financial hardship but do not satisfy the specific conditions required for government-prescribed deferments. The…

Lenders' billings for interest subsidy payments under the Department of Education's Guaranteed Student Loan Program (GSLP) are discussed. In fiscal year 1986, the Department of Education paid lenders $2.4 billion in interest subsidies on $39 billion of outstanding Guaranteed Student Loans. The General Accounting Office (GAO) reviewed the accounts…

This manual is designed to instruct administrators of the Guaranteed Student Loan (GSL) Program in how to take every step possible to administer the program effectively and to minimize the program costs of serving the high risk student. It shows schools how to work with students throughout their time in school, create ownership of the loan(s) by…

The status of the U.S. Office of Education-sponsored National Direct Student Loan funds at 19 selected postsecondary schools was reviewed. Enabling legislation intended that schools attain a revolving fund status but each school differs in its ability to do this because different loan collection procedures are used. Legislation requires schools to…

The text is given of the amendments to part 177 of Title 45 of the Code of Federal Regulations, concerning the federal Guaranteed Student Loan program. Subpart A concerns the program's purpose and scope. Subpart B concerns general provisions: definitions, eligibility, permissible charges, refunds, and prohibited transactions. Subpart C addresss…

Ten issues most likely to influence institutions this year include tuition policy and financing, capital renewal and replacement, charitable giving, scientific equipment and laboratories, endowment management and spending policy, research funding, corporate contributions, minority enrollment and hiring, debt financing and debt capacity, and cost…