The objectives of this audit were to determine: (1) whether Federal Student Aid (FSA) ensured completion of corrective actions in response to audit and program review findings related to satisfactory academic progress (SAP); and (2) what actions FSA has taken to assist schools with compliance with SAP requirements. The audit covered compliance…

The Department of Education's Inspector General has identified and prosecuted 17 cases where borrowers received large amounts in student loans by claiming falsely to be pursuing studies at foreign institutions. Officials see serious statutory, regulatory, and program deficiencies that may expose programs to more fraud and abuse. Critics feel the…

A Supreme Court ruling found that federal programs or policies based on race must meet a legal test of strict scrutiny, requiring the program to demonstrate a compelling government interest and be narrowly tailored. Legal experts suggest that few federal affirmative action programs currently meet the standard. (MSE)

Office of Education regulations upon which "need" analysis for federal student financial aid subsidies is based are presented and analyzed and the legal issues discussed. It is concluded that legal analysis tends to support the constitutionality of the guidelines. Recommendations are made that would provide flexibility within the guidelines. (JT)

A new Internal Revenue Service (IRS) program, Compliance 2000, assists taxpayers wanting to comply with tax laws but finding it difficult because of legal complexity or administrative burden. Kent State University (Ohio) has used the program to resolve a compliance problem with nonresident alien students and scholars. IRS contact information is…

Unresolved issues regarding Title IX include: (1) the applicability of Title IX to employees; (2) the law's applicability to all programs in an institution versus only those programs which are federally funded; (3) the extent to which the law covers athletic programs; and (4) whether violation of the law requires evidence of discriminatory intent.…

Approximately 95 percent of affiliated Jewish youth attend college. Much is happening in student aid today that will probably affect parents and their children. Issues of importance include: (1) legal considerations; (2) sources of financial aid; (3) applying for financial aid; (4) state and federal programs of financial aid; (5) sources of…

Discussion of child care for college personnel, fast becoming requisite in every benefits package, presents three composite cases illustrating the range of child care options available, looks at the kinds of flexibility parents need and program options available, and examines federal child care initiatives and program legal liabilities.…

The resource directory lists agencies helpful in resolving issues regarding higher education and disabled students. A brief analysis of provisions of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (Section 504) is followed by a listing of Section 504 Technical Assistance staff in 10 regional offices and a discussion of support and funding resources. Descriptions…

During academic year (AY) 1996-97, 83,000 students left Texas postsecondary institutions with $882 million in federally guaranteed loans. This study attempts to analyze the cumulative Texas Guaranteed Student Loan Corporation loan indebtedness of student borrowers who left postsecondary educational institutions from AY 1991 through 1997. The major…

In response to a request by the Presidential Task Force on Regulatory Relief, this report offers specific recommendations for reform of federal regulations. A cover letter explains the constraints imposed by the recommended format: that the report is unable to address adequately the area of federal regulatory activity generating the most adverse…