A regional survey of 1,442 student loan borrowers currently in repayment (nondefaulting, high debt/low income nondefaulters, and prior defaulters) investigated attitudes toward student loan debt. Results revealed those with greater debt perceive it as more burdensome, but debt level has little impact on consumption patterns. (Author/MSE)

This article critically reviews implementation of the National Loan Scholarship Scheme in India. It examines the program's strengths, weaknesses, and problems (e.g., a culture with negative attitudes toward such loans). It concludes that student loans are making little contribution to either the efficiency or equity of higher education in India.…

Insufficient funding for college work-study programs, increased student loan defaults, unanticipated deficits in the federal Pell Grant program, and the climate of recession are creating serious problems for student financial aid. Some fear enrollments will be affected and federal programs will be further reduced. (MSE)

A recent shift in allocation of public resources away from elementary and secondary education to higher education in Pakistan is criticized as not cost-effective, unjustified, inefficient, and inappropriate public policy. Issues of equity and privatization and the impact of the current student loan system are considered. (Author/MSE)

A discussion of the Canada Student Loans program argues that it lacks vertical and horizontal equity and creates a work disincentive, program rules need updating to reflect inflation and tax rate changes, and the government is controlling the cost of program interest subsidy inefficiently. An alternative program design is proposed. (Author/MSE)

Outlines an approach to better collection of delinquent college tuition that connects students with outstanding tuition to lenders. Suggests criteria for selecting an appropriate lender, and highlights benefits both for student motivation to repay debts and for institutional cash flow. (MSE)

This survey concludes that, overall, student debt has not caused most borrowers to make lifestyles changes nor regret their educational investment. Discussion analyzes borrower debt levels; payment-to-income and debt-to-income ratios; noneducation debt burden; student perceptions about borrowing and debt; effect of borrowing on decision making;…

Reviews recent data on cost trends in professional (especially legal) education, including interest costs, repayment mechanisms, and the issue of foregone wages. Also examines placement data and the ability to repay and refinance college indebtedness, as well as the developing relationship among college cost, credit cards, and consumer finance.…

Research has examined how college loans affect students, while ignoring implications for families. Recent changes in funding British higher education are consistent with some forms of family assets and obligations, but challenge others. Promotion of privatization and individual investment overlooks the importance of collective private…

Rushing to pass budgets and get out of town before the holidays, Congress passed a deficit reduction bill, making large cuts in three programs, including student loans. While Congress made it harder for students to get higher education, the nation's governors are undertaking an all-out effort to make all high schools college-prep experiences for…

The purpose of this descriptive case study was to trace the policy production process of a state agency, the Iowa College Student Aid Commission (Commission), to its function today. This case study relied on a review of federal and state statutes, a news article search, biennium reports of the Commission, and information obtained from the…

This directory lists more than 1,000 merit and other no-need funding and scholarship programs open to high school students and recent graduates for their undergraduate education in the United States. The programs are classified according to course of study in the sciences, social sciences, humanities, or any subject area. Programs reward…

This package of training materials is intended for high school counselors participating in a 1-day, eight session workshop on student financial aid for postsecondary education. The workshop attempts to: identify basic requirements and responsibilities students need to know about when applying for and accepting federal student aid; provide basic…

This report examines the four program activities that account for two-thirds of delinquent debt owed to the Federal government: the Department of Education's Federal Family Education Loan Program (FFELP) with $20 billion and the housing programs of the Departments of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), Veterans Affairs (VA), and Agriculture that…

This report provides an overview of efforts undertaken by the U.S. General Accounting Office (GAO) in 1990 to review and report on federal program areas its work identified as high risk because of vulnerabilities to waste, fraud, abuse, and mismanagement. It reviews the current status of efforts to address these concerns. The six categories of…