There is a distinct possibility, it is suggested, that American higher education will experience a price war in the coming period. The recent growth in awards of financial aid based on "merit" may be viewed as either its precursor, or its prologue, or its early major phase. (MLW)

Discusses data that indicate that students' academic promise is increasingly influencing even the amount of "need-based" aid they receive, signaling that families' demonstrated financial need is of less importance than they may expect when they fill out all those financial aid forms. (EV)

While the primary issue in the future of college student financial aid, pertaining especially to the role of the College Scholarship Service, is fairness in awarding aid in the context of extreme college aid competition, other issues include college quality and choice, who should pay for education, parental responsibility, educational…

The Education Amendments of 1980 of the Higher Education Act became law in October. The new higher education law is seen as ambitious in addressing complex issues with the management, delivery and targeting of federal assistance. The student loan explosion is discussed. (MLW)

The financial aid allocation power structure emerging in recent years has created a new freedom of choice for aid petitioners, but differing purposes and goals of aid sources will only complicate the existing diversification and competition in higher education. The principal issue is still availability of aid for future students. (MSE)