Section 439A of the Education Amendments of 1976 restricts the dischargeability of federal student loans to cases of "undue hardship." The origin, applications, and legal procedures involved in Section 439A and in Section 523(a) of the new Bankruptcy Code are examined and suggestions are made for determining the meaning of "undue…

Federal budget-balancing legislation includes tax credits and deductions, worth $40-billion over five years, to help people pay for college. Provisions include tax credits, deduction of student loan interest and some employer-paid tuition assistance, penalty-free individual retirement account withdrawals, student loan forgiveness, institutional…

Two government-induced distortions generate an excess demand for entry into the Greek higher education system. In Greece the private cost of higher education is too low and the government-set wage rate too high, thus contributing to the excess demand for higher education and an apparent "graduate unemployment" problem. (MLW)

Defaults on guaranteed student loans were examined in a sample of 4,617 students in proprietary vocational schools and community colleges in California. Default rates stemmed largely from students' background characteristics, rather than from characteristics or practices of the institutions they attend. (SLD)

Provides excerpts from President Clinton's address to the 1995 American Association of Community Colleges Convention. Discusses the importance of education in economic recovery and of community colleges in providing educational opportunities to nontraditional students. Reviews government initiatives to improve education, such as Tech Prep,…

President-elect Bill Clinton's ambitious education program involves development of world-class standards in mathematics, English, and science; increased federal funding for Head Start and Chapter 1 programs; an overhaul of the student loan program, creation of a national apprenticeship program; and radical decentralization of schools. Sidebars…

The educational progress of students with different family incomes is analyzed. Three financial aid policies working against dependent students from low-income families are examined: (1) zeroing out calculated negative parental contributions; (2) requiring a minimum self-help expectation from students in this group; and (3) substituting expensive…

Reviews problems with the Stafford Student Loan Program (Federal Family Educational Loan Program), including high-risk borrowers, dishonest school officials, negligent lenders, and guaranty agencies. Critiques recent reform measures designed to simplify the program. Suggests alternative policies, particularly direct loans from the federal…

The impact of 1981 reforms in Chile's higher education system is described and analyzed. The system has been diversified by encouragement of private universities and creation of professional institutes and technical training centers. Funding system changes have produced student loan recovery problems and limited private offerings. Oversupply of…

Student borrowing for higher education has increased dramatically, and some students begin their adult lives with considerable debt. Financial burden measures should be incorporated into student loan repayment requirements and used to adjust either monthly or annual repayments or the period of repayment. Reducing debt burden would help make…

It is argued that rising costs and declining federal student loan programs highlight the key role of the in-school interest subsidy in educational finance. Six possible scenarios are outlined, each differentially balancing indirect/direct lending and government/private involvement. Professionals are urged to find a program that serves students, is…

"Chronicle of Higher Education" presents an abundant source of news and information for college and university faculty members and administrators. This January 16, 2004 issue of "Chronicle for Higher Education" contains the following articles: (1) "Gymnasium, Ecology Lab, Sentinel" (Selingo, Jeffrey); (2) "Fewer…

In light of significant restructuring in New Jersey higher education and shrinking public funds, this project comprehensively examined New Jersey's system of financial aid. It was conducted through the compilation and assessment of program data as well as through interviews with several individuals in the New Jersey higher education community. The…

This directory contains a list of public and other nonprofit private elementary and secondary schools designated as having a high concentration of students from low-income families and thus qualifying as teaching sites for teachers with Federal Perkins Loans and National Direct Student Loans who may be eligible to have their payments canceled or…

This document contains a semiannual report on the activities of the Department of Education's Office of Inspector General (OIG) for the 6-month period ending March 31, 1996. It highlights the Office's significant accomplishments and activities, including: (1) a series of audit reports to aid reauthorization of the Rehabilitation Act; (2)…