The recent history of trends affecting the affordability of college are summarized. A better balance needs to be established between loan and grant support for students. The Stafford Student Loan Program (formerly the Guaranteed Student Loan Program) and the Reishauer HELP program are discussed. (MLW)

Increasing student costs and shrinking financial aid are causing college students to take on higher debt levels. While the situation is still manageable, educational planners must address the problem by monitoring student debt, raise funds for endowed scholarships, stabilize expenditures, provide better financial counseling to students, encourage…

An Indiana project to encourage participation in postsecondary education combined state policy making, funding and program support from public and private sources, and affiliated research activities at Indiana University. The interaction of these elements is examined, and it is concluded that communication, research, and student aid can be used to…

Discusses (1) characteristics distinguishing independent schools from public and other private schools (self-governance, self-support, self-defined curriculum, self-selected students and faculty, and small size); (2) self-imposed and environmental challenges confronting independent schools (demographic change, commitment to diversity, and public…

This brief statement offers 10 questions for consideration by American Dental Association (ADA) officials and others concerned with the burdensome indebtedness graduates often incur for their dental education. Questions ask for assessments in such areas as school operating costs, tuition, school support, loan forgiveness, and how the ADA can help…

Discusses the Golden Rule Insurance Company's educational choice program which assists lower-income families in sending children to private/church schools. Identifies benefits (e.g., introduction of public school choice plan, and families' sense of control over future). Answers criticisms (e.g., destroying public school system, racial motivation,…

In recent years, Trenton State College (New Jersey) has focused its efforts on providing quality undergraduate programs to reverse an outmigration of college students from the state. When it faced severe financial difficulties, the students actively supported a fee increase designed to help the institution maintain quality education. (Author/MSE)

An elementary mathematical model is used to analyze tuition and privatization policies for higher education institutions. One finding is that an appropriate tuition can increase the social income of alumni. Another salient finding is that some of the model's results are counterintuitive, suggesting its utility in decision making. Methodological…

Parents are covering less of their children's college costs than ever before, according to a recent study. On average, parents contributed 55% in 1997-98, down from 69% in 1986-87; during the same period, college costs increased 38%. Reasons include decreased family savings, higher consumer debt, incomes not keeping up with inflation, and…

Examines the economic effects of the 1991 recession on the inflation-adjusted current funds revenues of 470 public community colleges. Finds that, on average, public community colleges received less in governmental appropriations per student in 1994 than in 1989. However, total revenues per student increased, because institutions were able to…

The predominantly African American University of the District of Columbia is beset by a perennially shrinking budget, the city's severe financial problems, board pressure to increase tuition substantially, decreased degree output, weak political support, and competition from many private universities within the city. These may be compounded by…

Uses data from a national study on student aid to examine the influence of student subsidies on within-year persistence for nontraditional college-age students enrolled in two-year colleges. Finds that tuition charges had a negative effect on within-year persistence and that student aid subsidies were insufficient to mitigate this effect. (19…

Discusses how, as more countries have instituted or increased tuition, student loans have spread. But the programs are a flop in much of the world, raising fears that many low-income people will be shut out of higher education. (EV)

While higher education is generally a high priority in boosting economic development, public budgets to sustain expansion of higher education systems remain limited around the globe. This fiscal stress creates an impetus for governments to develop various strategies to meet the growing demand--from both students and society--for higher education…

This paper constructs a theoretical model to evaluate the effects of borderless education on education resource allocation by a public university in a developing country. It is sometimes argued that, with sole emphasis and competence in global knowledge, borderless education will lead to the demise of local knowledge in the developing country. We…