By the 2015-16 award year, a college ranking system, known as the Postsecondary Institution Ratings System (PIRS), will likely be in place to evaluate institutions on a number of factors. While it has not yet been determined what metrics will be used for evaluation, possibilities include: number of students receiving the Federal Pell Grant,…

This study sought to determine the strength and nature of the relationships between social, academic, and financial support and the intent of military students to persist in higher education at a large private non-profit university. The study also collected data from nonmilitary students to note contrasting relationships and looked at overall…

Some for-profit college industry lobbyists blame students for the high debt and default levels at their schools, claiming that their students borrow more than they need in federal loans. However, there is no evidence to support this claim, and giving colleges greater authority to reduce aid eligibility will make it harder for students to pay for…

This report focuses on the family income background of recent college graduates who took on student debt and how the financial profile of borrowers has changed over the past 20 years. Many recent analyses have examined why undergraduates are borrowing more for their education. This analysis seeks to illuminate which undergraduates are increasingly…

Many people wonder where to start when it comes to paying for college. This guide is intended to help answer questions about paying for college. Applying for financial aid is not difficult, but it is important to plan ahead and understand all of the options. This guide provides information about: (1) grants; (2) loans; (3) scholarships; (4)…

It is estimated that in the next decade, over two million veterans and dependents will utilize the Post-9/11 GI Bill for postsecondary education. Most colleges already possess the resources that veterans need to successfully transition and persist, though this subpopulation of learners also require services that are tailored to their…

This paper examines the higher education system in Brazil and one of the financial aid policies that the government has established. It seeks to find whether the Fundo de Financiamento ao Estudante do Ensino Superior (FIES), Financing of Higher Education Student, a financial aid program established by the Brazilian government in 1999, addresses…

This study used data from online focus groups collected from November 2014 to April 2015 to understand college students' decision-making processes when borrowing money to finance their education. Data were collected using an online course management system. Results suggest that (a) students relied heavily on advice from parents, guidance…

While increasing numbers of students have gained access to higher education during the last several decades, postsecondary persistence and academic success remain serious concerns with only about half of college entrants completing degrees. Given concerns about affordability and resources, policymakers and administrators wonder how financial aid…

Student loans have become an increasingly important way for students and their families to pay for college, but for students at historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs), student loan debt is a substantial burden. Students who attend these institutions--many of whom are low-income and first-generation--must borrow at higher rates and,…

In 2015, the Oregon Legislature took a bold and highly visible step toward this goal by enacting the Oregon Promise Program (ORP), which was framed as providing "tuition-free" community college to qualified recent high school graduates. The effort garnered national headlines, putting Oregon in league with just a handful of other states…

Pursuant to statute (23-1-113 [9] C.R.S), the Colorado Department of Higher Education (CDHE) is required to submit a report concerning the postsecondary academic progress and success of the preceding six high school graduating classes. This report covers the high school graduating classes of 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013 and 2014. This report has…

This annual report shows how fee and support systems (including grants and loans) work in higher education in Europe. It provides both a comparative overview of fees and financial support available to full-time students in 2016/17, and also includes individual country sheets outlining the main elements of national systems. In particular, the…

As they start college, the vast majority of incoming freshmen exude a strong desire to complete a degree, but many also express early concerns and attitudes that reduce their motivation and put them at risk for attrition. This report looks beyond standardized test scores and high school transcripts to explore a wide range of these noncognitive,…

Nebraska statute 85-1416(2)(c) requires the Coordinating Commission for Postsecondary Education to prepare biennially the "Tuition, Fees, and Financial Aid Report." This report studies the public policy issues relating to tuition, fees, and financial aid for students attending Nebraska's public postsecondary institutions. It examines…