Student aid has changed greatly over recent decades. Tuition costs have increased dramatically, increased competition for students has given rise to enrollment management, and increased funding for federal programs has led to expanded federal involvement in student financial aid. (JM)

The college financial aid system imposes an implicit asset tax that is prevalent and substantial. Facing this tax, rational families should reduce their total assets and shelter assets in protected categories. I find that the tax induces a 7-12% reduction in total assets, a result in line with the literature. Furthermore, I find evidence that…

Access to higher education remains a challenge for many students who face academic and informational barriers to college entry. This guide targets high schools and school districts, and focuses on effective practices that prepare students academically for college, assist them in completing the steps to college entry, and improve their likelihood…

This document provides information on financial aid programs and needs of Alabama institutions of higher education. Emphasis is placed on the correlation method--the case for the existence of financial barriers are in Alabama; sources and amounts of financial aid available to meet financial need in Alabama; recipients of financial aid at Alabama…

Interview results indicate that women in households receiving public assistance want fewer children than those in non-recipient households. Data suggest that, in general, public assistance may be a consequence of an untimely birth rather than a stimulus for that birth. (Author/AM)

Describes a seminar for high school students and their parents to increase awareness of financial aid sources and make families active participants in securing an aid package. Speakers from a major university and a local banking institution provided information and answered questions. (JAC)

This publication is intended to help postsecondary schools understand draft cohort default rate data. It explains how the Department of Education calculates cohort default rates, the effect of cohort default rates, and how to read cohort default rate loan record detail reports. Also, it reviews electronic reports available from the Department of…

One of the goals of state prepaid tuition and college savings programs is that parents will soon consider participating in Section 529 plans for future higher education costs as commonly as they enroll in 401K plans for their retirement. Too many families are taking on far too much debt for college expenses, and tuition has been consistently…

This document presents questions and answers to some frequently asked questions concerning student fees and financial aid at California's public colleges and universities. The answers provide an overview of costs and aid at public institutions of higher education in California. In the 2003-2004 year, California residents enrolled as full-time…

This report includes descriptions of the following Indiana public institutions: Indiana University, Purdue University, Ball State University, Indiana State University, University of Southern Indiana, Vincennes University, and Ivy Tech State College. For each institution, the following information is available: mission, enrollment breakdown, cost…

A survey of rejected applicants for federal grants revealed that while most of them secured feedback from agencies regarding the disapproval, many were concerned about the value of such information. Follow-up and program modifications can result only when effective interaction is achieved. (MLW)

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.…

This brief pamphlet is a financial planning and repayment guide designed to help college students make informed decisions about participating in Federal Family Educational Loan Programs as administered in California through the California Student Aid Commission. Following an introduction the guide begins by suggesting that students map out a…