The influence of government on higher education in Ohio is discussed. In the context of the history and the current status of public and private higher education, the following two questions are considered: (1) How do state and federal student aid programs interact, and what is their effect on tuition policy? (2) Have decisions on higher education at the state level shifted to other persons or institutions since the period of growth has ended? The following areas are considered: state coordination, governance, state mandates, state funds, student aid and tuition, the private sector of colleges and the state, and the public sector and the state. Specific topics include the following: subsidy distribution, tuition determination, boards of trustees, board of regents, other state agencies, the executive and legislature, appropriations bills, program mandates, management improvement, program budgeting and review, members of minorities, capital appropriations procedures, capital improvements, funds awarded, guaranteed loans, Ohio scholarships and grants, reciprocity and portability, administration, state and federal programs, overawarding, state student incentive grants, and citizens' opinion on student aid. Some specific trends in higher education in Ohio are documented. (SW)