Merit-based financial aid has been a growth industry in the United States over the past decade. Much media attention has focused on the use of merit aid by colleges and universities to try to attract academically talented students. In this article, the author argues that merit aid programs are the wrong tools for helping develop a skilled…

Describes a study and methods used by Navy Campus to choose a funding arrangement that would make the best use of the money available for voluntary educational purposes. Discusses modifying the economic concept of price elasticity to the interests of educationally oriented audiences. (JOW)

Analyzes the probable impact of substantially increased tuition to public universities and colleges, viewing public tuition as a form of taxation, and concludes that the middle-income student and his-her family would bear a disproportionately large share of the burden resulting from a tuition increase. (Author/IRT)

The "voucher system" refers to one type of system the government may employ to channel tax funds into public services. Its distinguisihing feature is that it distributes funds directly to individual citizens instead of public institutions, i.e., the individual is given a voucher to purchase the services he chooses. This report focuses on…

Summarizes the rationale for educational voucher systems, outlines model voucher systems, discusses implications of voucher systems, and suggests a generalized plan for applying voucher systems in continuing education. (Available from the Department of Educational Administration, The University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, T6G 2G5;…

For middle-class parents pinched by rising college costs, a tuition tax credit has irresistible appeal--and the idea's time has apparently come in Congress, where two separate bills are racing for passage. President Carter, who rejects the tax-credit approach as expensive and inequitable, countered with a plan of his own. Describes all three plans…

The report examines tuition assistance costs being charged to the federal government for family members of employees at educational institutions performing government-funded research. The study involved visits to 5 of the 10 universities receiving the most federal government-funded contracts and grants. The report addresses: (1) comparison of…

The author thinks a voucher plan is misguided and doomed to failure because resources for education are too scarce. (RA)

Outlines procedures used to select best system to arrive at students' financial needs. (IR)

Since the early 1980s, several unions have negotiated for training and education funds paid for by the employer and administered jointly by the union and the company. However, the link between lifelong learning and productivity is more a matter of belief than a proven fact. (JOW)

Corporations are now partnering with universities to offer their employees a wider variety of programs and courses through distance education. Three models for corporate-college partnerships are as follows: (1) the classic approach (tuition reimbursement); (2) portal approach (courses available online); and (3) training approach (course tailored…