A key factor in the overall financial strategy in the public and private sectors of American higher education involves helping students and families pay tuition and fees. This is because expenses have risen dramatically, tuition fees have outdistanced increases in federal student aid programs, and competition for students has increased. Several tuition funding and payment alternatives presently in use are described in this monograph which is based on a generic review of how colleges and universities help families and students pay tuition. The response to the request for information on this project was overwhelming and reveals a great diversity in tuition financing. Information is provided on the following: accelerated payment plans (prepayment plans, tuition stabilization plans, tuition futures, tuition gift certificates); delayed payment plans (installment plans, loan programs, commercial financing arrangement); pricing and discounted payment plans (differential pricing, retention plans, performance plans, volume discounts, lotteries, tuition matching, employee discounts); other techniques (credit card payment, electronic funds transfer, work programs); and tuition planning aids (family financial planning, effective presentation of plans). The appendix offers a financing options index by institution and by plan. Tables are included. (SM)