The Direct PLUS Loan is one of the low-interest loans provided by the William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan Program. The U.S. Department of Education delivers loan proceeds through the student's school, and parents are responsible for repaying the Department. This booklet answers parents' questions about the loan program, including: (1) Am I…

This report provides the interim budget plan of the U.S. Department of Education's Office of Student Financial Assistance (OSFA) for fiscal year 2000. It reviews factors influencing OSFA's budget request, including legislative requirements, recent accomplishments, the need to maintain both the Direct Loan and Federal Family Education Loan…

Many individuals with disabilities may have attempted college either before or after they became disabled. If prior college attempts were unsuccessful, the student may have defaulted on student loans. When the loans are secured by the federal government, the individual will not be eligible for further financial assistance, including all federal…

This guide to financial aid programs provides Minnesota students with information on types of aid, qualifications, and how to apply. In the first section, "What is Financial Aid," the guide focuses on the purpose of financial aid, the different sources of financial aid, and how to qualify for aid. The second section, "How Do I Apply for Financial…

This document raises several points of discussion concerning higher education aid and its recipients. Increasing use of federal higher education aid by middle-class and wealthy students is costly to taxpayers, contributes to student indebtedness, and fosters greater individual and institutional dependency. The document recommends Congress restore…

This document describes the accomplishments of the Office of Inspector General (OIG), U.S. Department of Education from October 1, 2003 through March 31, 2004. During this period, 71 audit and inspection reports were issued and 94 investigations were closed. Congress was provided with an analysis of issues for consideration in its reauthorization…

In its 1998 Amendments to the Higher Education Act, Congress directed the Commissioner of Education Statistics to conduct a study of higher education costs paid by institutions and prices paid by students and their families for a postsecondary education. (For the full law, see: http://www.ed.gov/legislation/HEA/sec101C.html). Section 131 of the…

In September 2002, the California Legislature adopted Supplemental Report Language (SRL) directing the California Postsecondary Education Commission (CPEC) to convene a task force to examine alternative delivery systems for the State's Cal Grant program. This report responds to that legislative request. The recommendations contained in this report…

Results of a survey of Indiana National Merit Scholars are presented. Areas addressed in the survey include intended majors, academic achievement, standardized test scores, student characteristics, financial aid, and student feelings about the National Merit Scholarship program and what it has done for them. (MSE)

A study of the effects of Swedish student aid reform on individuals born in 1948 shows that the aid has been important for both recruitment and retention, especially for lower socioeconomic strata, and has been the most important source of student financial support. (Author/MSE)

Two university administrators were interviewed to determine their views on impending budget reductions proposed by the Reagan administration. Effective use of information systems, it is suggested, can help provide solutions to the financial problems facing higher education. (MLW)

Based on interviews with honors program administrators at six community college districts, discusses reasons for initiating honors programs; benefits for students, faculty, and colleges; admissions criteria; scholarships; and course options (e.g.,interdisciplinary courses, in-class honors options, speakers' programs, and extra-course activities).…

As computer systems play a larger role in student financial aid, the aid officer needs at least some expertise in computer programing. The advantages of the BASIC computer language for learning computer programing are discussed. The kinds of programs that can be written by the financial aid officer are identified. (MLW)

A guide to federal income tax law as it affects law students is presented. Some costs that may constitute valuable above-the-line deductions are identified: moving expenses, educational expenses, job-seeking expenses, and income averaging. Available from Washington and Lee University School of Law, Lexington, VA 24450, $5.50 sc) (MLW)

A survey of optometric educational institutions, conducted by the Council on Optometric Education of the American Optometric Association, is described. Information on student enrollment, academic achievement, financial aid, and student expenditures for the academic year 1980-81 is highlighted. (Author/MLW)