Innovative programs in higher education that have been supported by American business during 1978-80 are described. Programs that have been selected for overall excellence, as part of the awards program sponsored by the Council for Financial Aid to Education, are examined, as are programs judged to have merit. The following award-winning programs are considered: "Money for Self-Study" (Metropolitan Life Foundation); "Creating New Capabilities in Science:" preparing minority students for technical careers (Rockwell International Corporation); and "Investing Money to Endow the Future:" cost-effective on-campus projects (Union Pacific Foundation). Among the 17 entries of special merit are the following: "Making Grant Recipients Business Partners:" combines cash grants to institutions with equity investments in their company (The Andersons); "Rewards for Problem-Solving Programs:" smaller colleges (Brunswick Foundation); "Adding Manpower to Money for a Career-Training Program:" combines expert help and funds needed to produce black bankers (Chase Manhattan Bank); "Compliments of the Season--To a College and Customers" (Colony Materials, Inc.); "A Leadership Challenge to an Entire Business Community:" mobilizes citywide support for a local university (Commonwealth Electric Company); "Funding Cooperative Community Projects in Education:" six colleges and seminaries are encouraged to pool their interests (Dubuque Packing grants); and "Low-Cost Loans That Build Endowment Funds:" loan program for black colleges (Equitable Life Assurance Society). (SW)