The purpose of this descriptive case study was to trace the policy production process of a state agency, the Iowa College Student Aid Commission (Commission), to its function today. This case study relied on a review of federal and state statutes, a news article search, biennium reports of the Commission, and information obtained from the…

The growing use of financial awards to students regardless of demonstrated need has aroused much debate. Small private colleges with more limited curricular offerings in heavy competition for students are those using no-need awards most in an attempt to solve their problems of enrollment and academic stature. However, large public and private…

This book examines issues in the provision of student financial aid within the context of continuing changes in governmental student aid policies and private sector decisions resulting in larger and larger shares of the cost of higher education being borne by individuals and their families. The two chapters of Part 1 first review the role student…

The validity of the basic assumptions underlying student grant programs is examined; namely, whether student aid increases access to postsecondary education for low income groups, whether student aid promotes student choice, and whether financing higher education through students greatly aids private institutions. The major conclusions of the…

This report identities significant characteristics and implications of state programs that provide financial aid to students in private, independent non-profit colleges and universities and describes one program in detail, Virginia's Tuition Assistance Grant (TAG) Program. Following an introduction in Section 1, Section 2 reviews the scope of…

This Congressionally requested memorandum compares the Pell Grant provisions contained in the recent new versions proposed by the Senate and House with the current program. The first section describes the program, pointing out that students' eligibility for Pell Grants and the size of their awards depend on three factors: the amount they and their…

Basic questions concerning the debate over tuition tax credits and expanded student aid and perspectives about the relationship between college costs and family income are discussed. The fundamental policy issues, rather than strictly economic issues, are the focus of attention. The most obvious challenge to existing policy has been support for…