The two essays in this document address the many challenges facing liberal arts colleges today. "The Threats to Liberal Arts Colleges" (Paul Neeley), holds that the most serious threat to liberal arts colleges is not ideology or technology but instead it is the marketplace. Competition within the liberal arts sector leads the best schools to spend…

This publication, in English and Spanish, describes the student financial aid programs of the U.S. Department of Education. It outlines things a student should ask about a college and discusses paying for college. Federal student aid includes grants, work-study, and loans. Chapters of this guide provide information on the following: (1)…

This publication explains what federal student financial aid is and what types of student aid are available. Two introductory sections present: federal student aid at-a-glance (what it is, who gets it, and how to get it) and finding out about student aid. The first section presents general information on the following subjects: student…

This transcript records testimony concerning Senate Bill 2490 which would bar federal aid from being used at colleges that directly or indirectly discriminate against off-campus businesses. The bill responds to difficulties small businesses have in competing with college campus bookstores due to the ability of colleges to channel student financial…

This report is intended to help institutions interpret and compare student aid at their institutions with those of peer institutions. Each chart, graph, or table is accompanied by an explanation of how the reported statistic was calculated; directions on how to interpret the data for participating institutions and peer groups are also offered. The…

This report presents recommendations of a task force which examined ways to transform the Department of Education's Office of Student Financial Assistance (OSFA) into a performance-based organization designed to deliver better service at lower cost. Highlights of the more than 200 recommendations stress the need to provide service equal to the…

A brochure describes how student loan default can cause permanent damage to an individual's financial future. and how to prevent default. A student loan is a legal promise. In exchange for help funding one's education, a promise is made to repay the education loan. The promise is made by signing a Promissory Note for any funds borrowed. Loan…

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 15th and final monthly report with Fiscal Year 2004 data. It contains information through September 30, 2004. This report contains data on: (1) the…

This report to the Minnesota Legislature outlines the estimated impact of recent changes made to the Minnesota State Grant Program on students. The Minnesota Higher Education Services Office is a cabinet-level state agency that provides prospective and current post-secondary students with financial aid programs, services and information. The…

This report compares the borrowing patterns of two cohorts of bachelor's degree recipients and examines their debt burdens (defined as monthly payments as a percentage of monthly salary income) a year after they graduated, using data from the 1993/94 and 2000/01 Baccalaureate and Beyond Studies. The participants in these studies were first…

The first comprehensive study of private scholarship aid, this report provides an understanding of this type of aid, and examines its importance to students and to private aid providers. Key findings from the study indicate that over 3 billion dollars in private scholarship aid was awarded in 2003-04, that approximately one hundred million dollars…

The strategy of the Pennsylvania Association of Colleges and Universities to combat student aid budget cuts is discussed. The main event was a "Day in Washington" when members discussed the impact of the proposed cuts with the 25 congressmen and two senators from Pennsylvania. (MLW)

Colleges must investigate financing options before they are needed by their students and be ready to help students find new and creative ways to fund their education. Tax-exempt financing options, new sources of loan capital, cooperative arrangements with state agencies, and new federal aid are among the possibilities to explore. (Author/MSE)

Examines the role of higher education in the Puerto Rican society and economy. Discusses the impetus federal assistance has provided to low income Puerto Rican students, especially through the Pell Grant. Analyzes the relationship between educational and employment attainment levels. (APM)

Changes in the payment and reporting procedures of the Basic Educational Opportunity Grants are proposed. Removing the Student Eligibility Report (SER) as a payment device is advocated. The SER is useful as an acknowledgement form to the applicant, a data correction device, and a document to begin validation efforts. (MLW)