This pamphlet describes the Federal Student Aid Ombudsman, an impartial resource to help customers resolve student loan concerns when other approaches fail. The ombudsman helps resolve discrepancies in loan balances and payments, and helps customers understand interest and collection charges. The office helps resolve issues related to income tax…

This training manual introduces "Quality Analysis for Windows: A Verification Tool," personal computer software developed by the U.S. Department of Education to assist institutions of higher education in increasing the accuracy of student financial aid awards, improving campus verification procedures, and enhancing management…

This 6-page pamphlet shares what the Student Financial Assistance (SFA) Office of the Ombudsman has learned from cases it has handled. An initial section offers information on the case management process, noting that the ombudsman process depends on the case's complexity and that many are revolved quickly. Next, it examines customer-reported case…

This testimony discusses the risks faced by the U.S. Department of Education due to the year 2000 (Y2K) computing crisis, focusing on student financial aid systems, the actions the Department has taken in recent months to address these risks, and the key issues the Department must deal with if its computer systems are to be ready for the century…

Financial aid provided to students in the University of Wisconsin (UW) system is described. In 1996-1997, 75,666 UW system undergraduate and graduate students received $404.9 million in a combination of need based and non-need based financial aid. This represented an increase of 1,319 students and $16.2 million above 1995-1996 levels. Over half of…

The 2003 Minnesota Legislature directed the Higher Education Services Office to evaluate and report monthly on state financial aid expenditures by type to date and unexpended balances. This is the fourth monthly report with Fiscal Year 2005 data. This document contains information through October 31, 2004. Information is provided on spending for…

It is imperative that student financial officers and policymakers develop an awareness of ways in which students can maximize their potential with the increase of private sector financial support systems. (JOW)

Reviews the history and impact of Pell Grants. Provides Senator Pell's assessment of the nation's ability to sustain its commitment to postsecondary educational access. Discusses the Education for Economic Security Act, which would fund employment-based training in high technologies. Feels current cutbacks jeopardize gains made in providing…

A list of financial aid dissertations is provided. It is hoped that the list, which was obtained from "Dissertation Abstracts," will serve as an impetus for readers to pursue further research and to provide recognition for the authors who are building a foundation for the financial aid profession. (MLW)

Five strategies to make college affordable include: reduce the time it takes for students to earn a college degree; provide families with better information before students enroll in college; facilitate movement of students between lower-cost and higher-cost colleges; reward college readiness and college persistence; and integrate state financial…

The cost of attending public, four-year and two-year colleges surged at its highest rate in 3 decades, rising 14 percent over the previous year, although financial aid is up, too. Research shows that state budget cutbacks in education typically result in colleges' charging higher tuition. Higher education officials are expressing concern about the…

If some lawmakers and community college leaders have their way, the amount of federal aid received by students at elite private colleges may be reduced. Private colleges say they will fight to protect federal aid that other institutions want for needy students. (SLD)

Discusses issues in establishing and managing a tuition assistance program for child care centers, including target groups, sources of aid, determining need, and whether to use an external financial aid service. (JPB)

Describes how, as tuitions soar and more students seek money to go to college, financial-assistance companies prosper by selling information that is available for free. (EV)

The primary weaknesses of the tax proposals offered by the Clinton Administration related to higher education are that they are not very well targeted and could be abused for leisure-related course work. The plan does little to resolve the deeper structural problems in how individuals pay for college. (JOW)