State low-interest college loans programs for middle-class families have emerged in response to restrictions on federally subsidized Stafford Loans. The key difference between federal and state programs is that most state programs require student borrowers and cosigners to prove good credit risks, reducing loan default and making the programs…

Discusses the effects on college students of working and borrowing money to cover school costs, specifically looking at academic achievement. Suggests working may be more of a problem, while borrowing may be less than previously thought. Recommends integrating financial and academic counseling to help students plan how to balance their financial,…

A survey of Canadian undergraduates found that when all else is held constant, students with positive attitudes toward debt are more likely than others to have an Ontario Student Assistance Plan loan. (EV)

America's higher education system is among the best in the world. Nevertheless, there is scope for improvement. In particular, there appear to be substantial financial barriers to higher education despite large government expenditures aimed at promoting access. Policy makers have proposed addressing these barriers by increasing student grants.…

This publication is intended for financial aid administrators and counselors who help students begin the student aid process--filing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), verifying information, and making corrections and other changes to the information reported on the FAFSA. This guide contains the following chapters: (1) The…

This publication, written in Spanish, describes financial aid programs of the U.S. Department of Education and advises students about paying for college. It outlines things a student should ask about college and how to obtain financial aid, whether grants, work-study, or loans. Chapters provide information on: (1) "Education after High School";…

This publication describes financial aid programs of the U.S. Department of Education and advises students about paying for college. It outlines things a student should ask about college and how to obtain financial aid, whether grants, work-study, or loans. Chapters provide information on: (1) "Education after High School"; (2)…

This publication explains what federal student financial aid is and the types of student aid that are available. The introduction, "Student Aid at a Glance," presents information about what student aid is, who gets it, and how to get it. The second section discusses "Finding Out about Student Aid." The next section provides…

This publication explains what federal student financial aid is and what types of student aid are available. The introductory section, "Student Aid at a Glance," presents information about what student aid is, who gets it, and how to get it. The second section discusses "Finding out about Student Aid." The next section provides…

This Spanish-language publication explains what federal student financial aid is and what types of student aid are available. The introductory section, "Student Aid at a Glance," presents information about what student aid is, who gets it, and how to get it. The second section discusses "Finding out about Student Aid." The next…

Data from the National Postsecondary Student Aid Study (NPSAS) (National Center for Education Statistics) show that the majority of students are turning to loans to finance college, and debt levels are escalating. Thirty-nine percent of student borrowers now graduate with unmanageable levels of debt, meaning that their monthly payments are more…

The factors that affect graduate school aspirations and attendance were studied in light of the fact that student loan borrowing has more than doubled in the past decade. Using data from two surveys conducted by the Higher Education Research Institute, this study investigated the educational degree aspirations of two separate college cohorts, one…

During the 1999-2000 academic year, about 16.5 million undergraduates were enrolled in postsecondary institutions for all or part of the year as full- or part-time students. More than one-half of them received some type of financial aid from federal, state, institutional, or other sources to meet their educational expenses, receiving, on average,…

This publication explains what federal student financial aid is and what types of student aid are available. Two introductory sections present: federal student aid at-a-glance (what it is, who gets it, and how to get it) and finding out about student aid. The first section presents general information on the following subjects: student…

A brochure describes how student loan default can cause permanent damage to an individual's financial future. and how to prevent default. A student loan is a legal promise. In exchange for help funding one's education, a promise is made to repay the education loan. The promise is made by signing a Promissory Note for any funds borrowed. Loan…