The 90/10 rule dictates that no more than 90 percent of institutional revenue at a for-profit college or university (FPCU) can come from Title IV funds. The rule, originally an 85/15 ratio, was introduced in the 1992 amendments to the Higher Education Act and has been debated for 25 years. Proponents argue the rule raises institutional quality by…

The upcoming reauthorization of the Higher Education Act of 1965 provides opportunities and presents challenges for financial aid administrators. This article outlines steps that aid administrators can take and challenges they may face in preparing for and responding to new legislation.

Competency-based education is increasingly popular because of the flexibility it provides for students seeking a postsecondary credential. Current federal student aid, however, is geared toward supporting students in traditional, time-based degree programs. This paper discusses why current approaches to federal student aid are not supportive of…

Both federal spending on financial aid and student loan default rates have increased over the past decade. These trends have intensified policymakers' concerns that some postsecondary institutions-- particularly in the for-profit sector--maximize revenue derived from federal financial aid without helping students to graduate or find employment.…

One institution's several years' experience with the Department of Education's Quality Control Project, which is attempting to ascertain the value of student financial-aid application-verification efforts, is summarized and commented on. (Author/MSE)

Results of a survey of the Western Association of Financial Aid Administrators concerning the prevalence and stringency of validation procedures used in 1985-86 are presented, and the impact and effectiveness of federal verification procedures in offices in that region are discussed. (MSE)

A study of the financial aid applications of 2,979 parents of college students and of 136 independent students filing both actual and estimated income data on the applications found that contrary to Department of Education assumptions, procedures for income verification established by individual colleges produce effective and efficient results.…

Reviews issues surrounding college tuition discounting, and outlines sources of confusion, defines various discount types, provides historical background prior to recent changes in fund accounting rules, describes the new rules' impact, outlines different uses of tuition discounting by three groups, and applies the accumulated definitions to an…

Berkeley's response to the 1976 Amendments to the Higher Education Act is described, with focus on the Financial Aid Handbook, advertising financial aid deadlines, and other pamphlets on student services and opportunities. (LBH)

A review of the literature on the impact of student financial aid on its stated goals of student access, choice, and retention concludes that its principal objectives are being accomplished. Further research is recommended, to be funded in part by a portion of the public aid allocated for financial aid. (MSE)

The 1992 Higher Education Act amendments offer limited antitrust immunity for certain collective financial aid activities, but, because of recent litigation, all other aspects of higher education are now subject to antitrust scrutiny. Prudent administrators will adopt antitrust compliance programs to protect against inadvertent violations and…

Increased responsibilities placed on financial aid offices and the results of a survey of Georgia public two-year colleges suggests the need for a staffing formula based not on the number of aid applicants but on standards more clearly reflecting the institution's commitment to enhancing educational opportunities for all students. (MSE)

Basic legal knowledge that the student financial administrator needs is outlined: the legal system, requirements and regulations affecting financial aid, interacting with lawyers and the legal system, and substantive law and legal issues affecting the operation of the office. (MLW)

An analysis of increases in federal regulation of student financial aid since 1959 looks at changes in both volume and substance of the regulations, and the costs of implementing them. Federal initiatives to form partnerships with institutions in managing student aid are noted, including quality assurance efforts and innovative experiments in…

Analysis of the evolution of the regulatory process in federal student aid looks at the ability of stakeholders to influence results and concerns about overregulation. Alternative regulatory approaches, considered less burdensome, are examined, and the appropriateness of using student financial aid policy to achieve social and political objectives…