Analysis of 110 federal and state adjudication cases from 1950-89 revealed a substantial rise in disputes over financing medical education. Medical school graduates had little success in these cases. A need for counseling, particularly concerning consequences of timing in service obligations and of some loan programs, is seen. (Author/MSE)

This study analyzes the experience of existing higher education student loan programs in developing countries in order to understand their role in fostering cost recovery. Detailed financial analyses of 24 loan programs shows that present value of the repayments collected constitutes a small percentage of the loan value disbursed. In general,…

This report presents an analysis of the debt levels and debt burdens of recent college graduates, based on student-reported data from four national surveys taken over the period 1977 to 1986. The major findings of this study were the following: (1) one out of two 1986 college graduates had some undergraduate debt representing an increase from one…

Federal budget-balancing legislation includes tax credits and deductions, worth $40-billion over five years, to help people pay for college. Provisions include tax credits, deduction of student loan interest and some employer-paid tuition assistance, penalty-free individual retirement account withdrawals, student loan forgiveness, institutional…

Reviews problems with the Stafford Student Loan Program (Federal Family Educational Loan Program), including high-risk borrowers, dishonest school officials, negligent lenders, and guaranty agencies. Critiques recent reform measures designed to simplify the program. Suggests alternative policies, particularly direct loans from the federal…

Student borrowing for higher education has increased dramatically, and some students begin their adult lives with considerable debt. Financial burden measures should be incorporated into student loan repayment requirements and used to adjust either monthly or annual repayments or the period of repayment. Reducing debt burden would help make…

This letter report by the Director of Education and Employment Issues in the U.S. General Accounting Office responds to a request from Senator Edward M. Kennedy for information on the federal costs involved for liquidation activities of the Higher Education Assistance Foundation (HEAF) in fiscal year (FY) 1992, the second year of the agreement to…

This guide tells about federal student aid programs for postsecondary education and how to apply for them. It begins by outlining sources for finding out about student aid, such as state higher education agencies, guidance counselors, and organizations connected with particular fields of interest. The guide offers tips on choosing a school…

President Bill Clinton used the declining default rate on college student loans as a basis for proposing tax breaks for college costs. Reduced defaults have saved taxpayer money and helped reduce the federal deficit. Over 150 colleges and universities, including 25 private institutions, risk losing eligibility for federal grant and loan programs…

A discussion of the influence of finances on students' decisions to enter medicine or pursue low-paying careers in primary care or clinical investigation looks at three factors: medical school costs, the magnitude of student indebtedness, and the effects of indebtedness on career choice. (Author/MSE)

This paper analyzes the factors associated with student loan default in the Guaranteed Student Loan (GSL) program for higher education. The paper provides an overview of the National Postsecondary Student Aid Study (NPSAS) Student Loan Recipient Survey, and, using data from the survey, presents a descriptive analysis of student loan recipients and…

This document presents hearing testimony and prepared statements, letters, and supplemental material concerning the use of the United States tax collection system for collecting postsecondary education student loans and developing a repayment system that is income-sensitive. Among those presenting testimony are the following: Michael S. Bigelow,…

This summary report presents major findings of a study comparing repayment of student loans and the impact of educational debt on students' life decisions in 1985 and 1991. A survey was sent to a random sample of approximately 3,000 borrowers during repayment of their student loans in both 1985 and 1991. Useable surveys were received from 628…

This monograph consists, first, of a brief discussion of the methodology of a study comparing repayment of student loans and the impact of educational debt on students' life decisions in 1985 and 1991, and second, of extensive tables, profiles, and appendices which detail the study's findings. A survey was sent to a random sample of approximately…

This document presents seven papers that address several aspects of the new direct lending federal loan program established by the Student Loan Reform Act of 1993. Among the topics examined are the following: (1) the experiences with implementing new student aid programs; (2) the policy questions involved in lending in proprietary (profit-making)…