Creative ideas recently emerging to help families cope with rising educational costs are reviewed, including state and federal level savings plans, alternative loan programs, guaranteed access plans, and public service proposals. (Author/MSE)

Between 1991 and 1994, college student borrowing increased by 28% annually, higher than the national rate. The highest rates are among older, part-time, independent, and minority students. Rising debt and rising costs predict a growing problem of indebtedness among students. Social and economic consequences could be severe if this trend continues.…

This background paper on institutional lending examines institutional lender policy in the Stafford Student Loan Program, the study of which was mandated in the 1986 reauthorization of the Higher Education Act. The paper's particular purpose, however, is to familiarize the reader with the general operation of programs and the historical…

This review of the connection between student financial aid and student access to and success in higher education draws on existing research on these issues and makes recommendations for national policy on student aid and higher education. The resulting recommendations are: (1) create a new federal strategy, the College Success Program (CSP) that…

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 analysis looks at proposals for the 1997 reauthorization of the Higher Education Act. These proposals include graduation-contingent aid providing "incentives" for completion; creation of federal student aid block grants to reduce the federal government's role and provide states and institutions more flexibility in awarding student…