This review explores the expanding role of federal aid policy considered from a contemporary and social justice perspective. It highlights recent trends in aid policy as well as difficulties that arise from the current system. Next, the review takes up an analysis of current aid policy that carefully considers equity and efficiency as primary…

The Federal Pell Grant program has made education possible for many Americans. It has also helped establish the norm of public responsibility for widespread access to higher education. This essay reviews the growth of the Pell Grant program over time and its current characteristics. It then details some innovations with the potential to increase…

The University of Oregon's financial aid director describes the success of the Federal Direct Student Loan program in its first year at the institution. No significant program disadvantages were experienced, and its advantages included flexibility of administration, ease of data management with the servicer, decrease in office workload, and…

A research study is described that shows that administrative approaches placing the initiative for federal work-study job placement upon the student can improve program efficiency, without significantly affecting administrative effectiveness. Other possible advantages for the student employer and institution are also discussed. (Author/LBH)

This literature review suggests that student aid is an effective mechanism for promoting equal educational opportunity and that the erosion in federal grant dollars has influenced an erosion in minority group access to higher education. Research findings on equal opportunity components including access, choice of school, persistence, choice of…