As might be expected with programs involving the distribution of large amounts of money, problems have developed in the operation of the federal student financial aid programs in postsecondary education. The study reported here was undertaken in 1976 to provide: (1) an in-depth profile of the strengths and weaknesses of the laws and enforcement resources of the states in protecting students from abusive institutional policies, practices, and conditions, or (2) suggestions for acceptable techniques that might be used to help state officials improve their laws and augment their enforcement resources. The final report details the methods used in the study, summarizes the results, outlines conclusions and generalizations made, and recommendations for the next steps to be taken. A list of references and detailed appendixes are included. (MSE)