Introduces the issue, with the following themes: (1) the increased importance of higher education; (2) policies, issues, and attitudes affecting access to higher education in the 1980s; and (3) the questionable effectiveness of junior colleges. (DM)

An economic squeeze is being placed on colleges and universities through reduced federal and state aid to education. Discusses the history of financial aid, who is considered needy, whether accepting a student loan is wise, the new Direct Loan program, prepayment loans, using college debt to your advantage, and future trends in financial aid. (JBJ)

A study of 1,058 full-time undergraduate students at 4 British universities investigated characteristics of those working during the school year, why they work, and contribution to student income. It found that conventional research focus on earnings and hours is limiting, and that broader employment profiles should be identified and linked to…

This article examines problems with the student loan program from an institutional perspective, in the context of reauthorization of the Higher Education Act of 1965. It raises questions for evaluating reform proposals; presents seven key principles for student loan reform; and offers suggestions for a pilot program addressing direct lending,…

This article reviews student loan programs around the world; notes the problem of financial inefficiency, particularly in developing nations; discusses strategies to improve loan program performance, such as program targeting and avoidance of hidden subsidies; and considers alternatives to student loans based on principles of deferred payment. (DB)

This article describes current structures of educational finance in Uganda (where college students are supported by the government, whereas families must pay a substantial portion of elementary and secondary costs); considers arguments for increased cost recovery and the introduction of student loans; and examines obstacles to student loans in…

A study compared the costs and funding of higher education in 15 European countries, focusing on the quantitative role public funding plays in covering the overall costs of higher education and the qualitative function of public support in shaping the student's role as dependent, investor, or citizen. Wide divergence in national approaches to the…

A study examined relationships between ratings of college services and program quality among 57 pairs of business students and their parents. Correlations between student and parent ratings were small. Parents who believed they had greater influence over college choice were more satisfied. Parent satisfaction was also related to amount of parental…

The experiences of California college and university students suggest that Hope credits and Lifetime Learning credits, federal tax credits designed to help working students and middle-class families afford college, are having a limited impact. Award calculation, income limits, tax liability policy, college costs, and financial aid all affect the…

Examines individual high school graduates' postsecondary enrollment decisions, focusing on effects of institutional cost and proximity. Estimates a multinomial logit model of enrollment probability, using data from the 1980 High School and Beyond Survey. Improving vocationally oriented youths' financial accessibility to two-year colleges is more…

A discussion of prepaid college tuition plans, operational in a dozen states, finds that they have proven viable but present problems in three areas: (1) their structure must not redistribute state resources to the relatively wealthy; (2) participation may create pressure on admissions policy; and (3) state legislatures may see the accumulated…

Analyzes data on financing U.S. higher education, especially the role governments, institutions, and families play in meeting college costs. Finds fewer affluent students attending private four-year colleges and an increasing concentration of lower income students at community colleges. Considers implications in light of the rising economic value…

A discussion of the current cost and financing of higher education looks at how higher education has been treated in federal policy in recent years, its status in public policy in the near future, including some salient uncertainties, and college cost and student debt. Emphasis is given to trends in the cost of professional education. (MSE)

An analysis of the costs of dental education and student debt looks at national health expenditures, their relationship to student costs for dental education, and trends in student indebtedness and professional income. A debt rate rising faster than general economic growth is foreseen, suggesting an unhealthy economic climate for new graduates.…

Investigated the impact of student characteristics and financial aid awards on degree completion rates of 2-year college students. Found that less than one-third obtained their degree, less than one-tenth of completers had a high school GPA of less than 2.0, federal loans and work study were positive predictors of degree completion, and federal…