The federal government now offers a multitude of complicated income-driven repayment (IDR) plans that are difficult to understand, enroll in, and stay in. Many students who would benefit from IDR do not enroll, and others will have large amounts of debt forgiven despite earning high wages. The current problems with IDR are not an indictment of the…

College tuition and student debt levels have been increasing at a fast pace for at least two decades. These well-documented trends, coupled with an economy weakened by a major recession, have raised serious questions about whether the market for student debt is headed for a crisis, with many borrowers unable to repay their loans and taxpayers…

This report serves as a comprehensive resource of accurate and timely indicators of higher education performance in Minnesota. This report provides historical and national comparisons to contextualize state data. "Minnesota Measures" also offers Minnesota postsecondary peer institution comparisons. As possible, indicators are…

This report provides a resource of accurate, timely and comprehensive facts about higher education in Minnesota. It includes comparisons over time as well as national and peer institution comparisons to add context for the interpretation of the data. It is expected to be used by a number of stakeholder groups such as legislators, educators and…

Paying for graduate school, juggling loans, assistantships, and grants to meet costs is probably as complex as any budget that a professional will have to tackle. Some advice on financing graduate school is provided. (MLW)

Loan deferment and forgiveness programs, first developed at the Harvard Law School, are appearing at a variety of institutions. These schools are helping alumni who choose public interest careers to pay off educational loans. Public interest careers include working for schools, hospitals, the government, arts organizations, etc. (MLW)

Reviews recent data on cost trends in professional (especially legal) education, including interest costs, repayment mechanisms, and the issue of foregone wages. Also examines placement data and the ability to repay and refinance college indebtedness, as well as the developing relationship among college cost, credit cards, and consumer finance.…

This report briefly summarizes Alaska's student financial aid programs and the participation levels for 1991-92. After introductory remarks, more detailed sections focus on the following specific programs: (1) the Alaska Student Loan Program; (2) the Alaska Family Education Loan Program; (3) the Alaska Teacher Scholarship Loan Program; (4) the…

The impact of receiving undergraduate student loans on attending graduate school was studied using the data base of the National Longitudinal Study of the High School Class of 1972. Information from a base-year survey conducted in spring 1972 and three followup surveys conducted in fall 1973, 1974, and 1976 was used. Approximately 20,000 students…

Definitions of manageable college student debts are discussed and one definition is applied to California data, using the Student Expenses and Resources Survey. Definitions proposed by Daniere, Hartman, and Horch define manageable debt levels in terms of future income. A comparison of the three proposals shows the number of years of repayment…

The effect of indebtedness (undergraduate loan burden) after college graduation on the decision to pursue a graduate degree was studied for 899 individuals from the High School and Beyond study. Level of undergraduate debt was not a significant choice determinant. Some limitations of the methodology are discussed. (SLD)

The federal role in helping colleges provide graduate education is considered, as part of hearings on the reauthorization of the Higher Education Act of 1965. The question of whether there is access to graduate education is addressed. Attention is directed to the following concerns: the appropriate balance between undergraduate and graduate…

This study examined the use of private education loans at high-cost private colleges and universities. Responses were received from 100 of the 381 institutions who reported undergraduate tuition and fees, or professional school tuition and fees, of $14,000 or higher in 1996-1997. It was found that on most campuses private student loans play a…

This book provides information to prospective graduate students on how to acquire financial assistance for their graduate programs by explaining (1) what the difference is between undergraduate and graduate aid; (2) aid eligibility; (3) where to go for funding and how much is available; (4) how to be "marketable" to targeted funding sources; (5)…

A national perspective on issues in graduate and professional education in California is provided with an emphasis on increasing the participation of minority students and women in advanced degree programs; assuring an adequate supply and quality of college faculty into the next century; and minimizing the adverse affects of growing loan burdens.…