There is an implicit general plan currently uniting federal and state financing policies, however, it is inefficient, inequitable, and ineffective, involving obsolete state financing policies and mistaken federal responses. Implementation of another plan available would require federal intervention in state financing policies. (MLW)

Spurred to action by Governor Thomas H. Kean, New Jersey recently instituted a system of financial incentives for colleges and universities that propose innovative improvements in undergraduate education. An interview with the governor conducted by Frank Newman, the president of the Education Commission of the States, is presented. (MLW)

Affordability--the ability of students and other funders to contribute to the support of colleges and universities--is a topic of increasing salience. In this Resource Review, we examine the affordability of college from two perspectives: from that of students and their families, and from that of the state. We also identify many references to…

Florida has pumped an extra $88 million into its university system this year while other states are scrimping on higher education. The state's drive is to turn its university system into one of the most respected in the country.

A Michigan State senator discusses institutional relationships with the state legislature and communication problems between institution and government that interfere with policy and budgeting processes. (MSE)

The wide variation among the states in the support level on a per-student basis of aid to private institutions by state and local governments is discussed by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching. Total aid, state-by-state statistics, private sector enrollment, and enrollment vs. aid are examined. (MLW)

The lack of satisfaction with the political process as the means of reaching informed public policy judgments about higher education is seen to be manifested in the intermediate agencies created by every state. Important choices remain between the concentration of authority in centralized governance systems and the decentralization of authority.…