The Federal Work-Study program was introduced as part of the Economic Opportunity Act of 1964, with the goal of enabling low-income students to work their way through college. It is thus one of the earliest forms of federal financial aid for college, pre-dating both Pell Grants and Stafford Loans. Since its inception, FWS has provided institutions…

Many states are passing "free" college plans, and policymakers at both the state and federal level continue to debate the merits of national "free college" or "debt-free college" proposals, also known as Promise programs. Both federal and state "free" college proposals are geared toward a policy objective of…

The fiscal year 2012 budget process has been anything but typical or predictable. While fiscal year 2012 starts in just a few weeks on October 1, 2011, the annual appropriations process is far from complete, and funding for federal education programs has not yet been finalized. Nevertheless, congressional action in the months that have led up to…

In the nearly fifty years since the adoption of the Higher Education Act of 1965, financial aid programs have grown in scale, expanded in scope, and multiplied in form. As a result, financial aid has become the norm among college enrollees. The increasing size and complexity of the nation's student aid system has generated questions about…

By late 2008, the United States was in the midst of its most severe economic recession since the 1930s, brought on by a collapse in real estate prices and exacerbated by the failure of many large banks and financial institutions. Heeding calls from economists, Congress and the Obama administration passed a historic law in early 2009 to stimulate…

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…

Background and legal requirements for disclosure and counseling of students receiving loans under the federal student loan programs are discussed. A definition of loan counseling, a decision-making model for creating an institutional program, and information on loan consolidation are provided. Following introductory and background sections, the…

An analysis of the major federal goals in postsecondary education is undertaken along with a consideration of the effects of federal programs on these goals. Also included are topics for deliberation by the 95th Congress. The paper focuses on labor market effects of postsecondary education, future policy questions, federal efforts to achieve equal…

This volume contains 14 papers on productivity, incentives, and financing in U.S. higher education, issues of particular urgency in light of revenue shortfalls, expenditure pressures, and controversies that have shaken public confidence in higher education. Part 1 contains two background papers: "Introduction" (Michael S. McPherson, Morton O.…

The Office of Education has allowed schools participating in the National Direct Student Loan Program to hold more than an annual average of $63 million in federal funds in excess of their 30-day needs. The General Accounting Office estimates that if the Treasury had this money it could save the government interest costs of as much as $4 million,…

The loss in selected federal student assistance programs in the states and by institutional control based on President Reagan's budget request for funding year 1983 is estimated. Funding levels for 1981-1982 for the campus-based programs (Special Education Opportunities Grant Program--SEOG, College Work-Study--CW-S, and the National Direct Student…

Proposed budget cuts by the Reagan Administration that will directly affect the financial aid programs at the University of Delaware are examined, along with the anticipated impacts of the cuts. The programs specifically slated for reduction in both funds and the number of students who will be eligible to participate in 1981-82 include the…

The task of designing future postsecondary education policy in fiscal year 1981 is discussed in relation to two unique conditions. First, the federal role as a provider of student assistance was increased dramatically in 1978 by passage of the Middle Income Student Assistance Act, and the full costs of implementing MISAA are coming due. Second,…