The Netherlands has been characterized by highly differentiated secondary education, with separate practical, vocational, secondary, and pre-university institutions. Over time, these have converged somewhat. Well-thought-out vocational and adult programs emphasize providing skills needed in the workplace. At least part-time education is compulsory…

This publication describes student financial assistance programs available through the U.S. Department of Education's student financial aid programs. Thirteen sections focus on: "Education after High School"; "Paying Tuition and Other Costs"; "Applying for Financial Aid"; "Eligibility Criteria";…

This presentation identifies six areas of common interest between the California Postsecondary Education Commission (CPEC) and the Citizens Commission on Higher Education: (1) California needs to plan more effectively for the anticipated enrollment growth, particularly at the community college level; (2) the State ought to create a long-term…

This report presents a comprehensive overview of the parental role in higher education. It is on various data sources, including a nationally representative survey of 750 parents of current college students. The report addresses issues ranging from selecting an institution, to paying tuition, to patterns of saving and borrowing, to the demographic…

Five studies on college students are examined for their variety and meaning, and methodological advances leading to increased knowledge of factors affecting student progress are discussed. Researchers are challenged to overcome barriers to student growth identified in previous research. (Author/MSE)

This article compares higher education and health care affordability, discussing overall expenditures, the role of government, the impact on private business, social values, institutional confidence, and demand factors. It argues that, although college affordability is a serious problem, it will not dominate future public policy debates to the…

A survey of 466 students in a large, urban commuter college investigated the relationship of student finances to academic persistence. Results suggest that financial aid (1) equalizes opportunities for students, thus decreasing attractiveness of alternatives, (2) facilitates academic and social integration, and (3) increases student commitment to…

Examined problems experienced and services used by Black college students (N=1,261) over 11 years. Found issues of finances, academic adjustment, and living conditions were ranked highest. Use of several services could be predicted by sex, classification, age, and residence, but use of services was not always consistent with rankings, particularly…

A discussion of the high level of student borrowing to pay for higher education looks at the situation today, examines college cost and aid trends, explores implications for the future if students continue to increase their borrowing, and offers a proposal to create a new generation of loan forgiveness programs through a public/private…

Since its establishment in the 1860s, Washington's higher education system has evolved rapidly to meet a myriad of state needs in fields as diverse as agriculture, bioscience, chemistry, environmental sciences, engineering, medicine, law, business, computer science, and architecture. Today, higher education, like other vital state functions, faces…

The Division of Policy, Planning, and Research has assembled the Tennessee Higher Education Fact Book which is a compilation of statistical information pertaining to higher education in Tennessee. This Fact Book contains tables and charts with data relevant to enrollment and transfers, persistence and attainment, and fiscal information about…

The state of Washington is committed to higher education opportunity for all students, regardless of income, through its state financial aid programs. The purpose of this report is to provide the members of the Higher Education Coordinating Board (HECB) with an overview of state and federal financial aid in Washington, an update on state financial…

Although colleges and universities interested in the most cost-effective way of diversifying their entering class or meeting enrollment targets have an array of analytical techniques to choose from, issues of accuracy, scope, and usability continue to slow their widespread use. To address these issues, this article develops an institutional…

This article examines the most recent data on the cost and financing of a post-secondary education. It also examines the burgeoning debate in Canada about the relationship between tuition fees and access to post-secondary education. In recent years longitudinal data collection has improved and there is now a relatively wide body of research…

The UK 2004 Higher Education Act generated important debates about the relationships between higher education (HE), economic growth and social progress. The range of positions expressed in relation to the increase of annual tuition fees raises crucial questions about the public and private funding of higher education and its individual and social…