This chapter describes how Dickinson College, guided by a strategic plan, addressed its net tuition revenue problem through effective decision support, marketing and branding approaches, and pricing and financial aid strategies. The college's strategic plan guides allocation of resources toward fulfilling the college's purpose of providing an…

Historically, the primary role of financial aid was to increase educational opportunities for those with inadequate resources, yet more recently institutional aid is increasingly becoming based on criteria unrelated to financial need. Various political forces have reinforced the institutional tendency to redirect dollars from the mission of…

The tax exempt bond market continues to be unsettled, but many issues have been resolved by the Tax Reform Act of 1986. These range from very narrow technical adjustments to sweeping new limits applicable to all issuers, with some restrictions aimed directly at colleges and universities. (Author/MSE)

Tax reform increases the need for integrated financial planning of non-traditional income-generating activities and of capital sources and uses. (Author)

Tax-exempt leasing is examined and compared to other financing mechanisms, and its applicability and the variety of structuring options available to public colleges and universities as lessees are explored. (MSE)

Intellectual property, the knowledge created within the institution in the course of research carried out by its faculty, students, and staff, is an asset unique to colleges and universities and represents a significant opportunity for enhancing the present and future economic position of an institution. (MSE)

Many small, private colleges are examining aggressive ways of economically developing their land and other physical assets by strategies ranging from direct ownership of tangible property to joint and participating ownership arrangements consisting of leases, financing, and partnerships. In all cases, however, potential tax consequences should be…

Tuition prepayment plans, or tuition futures, are mechanisms that allow families to save now in anticipation of rising college costs. The newly enacted Tax Reform Act of 1986, which eliminates some ways to save for college, accentuates the need for such programs to contain costs and make college more affordable. (MSE)

College administrators in small and specialized colleges with a narrower margin for financial planning need a management process that continually renews the institution's sense of direction while ensuring that plans are matched to available resources. (MSE)

The rapid deterioration of plant and equipment in higher education institutions necessitates quick action by colleges to assess capital needs. Specific plans of action at campus and national levels are required to resolve the lack of information and policies for meeting these needs. (MSE) ***

As a result of the new tax law, many tax benefits have been reduced or eliminated, creating a number of financial challenges to colleges and universities. Most major sources of revenue are impaired, while some expenditures are likely to increase. Fund-raising methods, operating costs, and tuition payments will change. (MSE)