African American and Hispanic participation in graduate and professional programs has increased over the last decade, but the literature on how these students financially support their education is limited. The purpose of this study is to examine the differences in financial aid awards and awarding patterns among African American, Hispanic and…

Recent studies have questioned the wisdom in blaming college costs for the escalation of student loans. It would appear that less affluent students borrow large amounts because inexpensive subsidized loans are available. This study attempted to verify the claim, estimating a model of the amount of loan received by students as a function of net…

This article describes some of the special financial aid needs of students with disabilities and the policy implications of those needs. It focuses on the financial burdens of having a disability, the time demands faced by those with disabilities, the multiple and complex sources from which students with disabilities derive support, and the…

Summarizes prior studies with a focus on untangling how changes in student financial aid policy have influenced changes in opportunity. Also recommends new strategies for lowering student loan debt, increasing federal and state cooperation in providing adequate need-based grant aid, and developing policies that target debt forgiveness for…

Discussion of the need for the Perkins Loan Program examines recent trends in borrowing under this and the Stafford Loan Program, comparing demographic characteristics, income levels, educational costs, and financial-need levels of loan recipients. It is concluded that the Perkins program continues to play a vital role in providing need-based aid…

Analyzes data from the National Postsecondary Student Aid Survey concerning the use of need-based versus non-need financial aid awarded by colleges and universities in 1989 and 1995. Provides descriptive and trend analyses of differences in types of aid among varying institutional types, and examines how financial aid awards have changed for…

The student financial aid situation at present can be summarized under the following sections: student confusion by the multiplicity of aid programs; managerial problems; lack of conceptual clarity; and special problems in need of analysis. (Author/PG)

Counseling, an essential function of the financial aid officer, is discussed in terms of opportunities, goals, problems, and responsibilities. (PG)

Presents an equation to help determine risks in student loan programs at colleges and universities. Statistical tables accompany the text. (PG)

Major questions identified by the conference participants dealt with the following issues: goals and commitments of financial aid; funding of financial aid; operation of the student aid system; governance of student aid; and outlook in terms of demand and delivery systems. (LBH)

A study that sought to determine by what means and with what frequency Boston College undergraduates with unmet financial aid need actually financed their educational expenses is reported. Parental contributions, student earnings, student borrowing, and other methods by which students may have filled the gap are considered. (JMD)

Berkeley's response to the 1976 Amendments to the Higher Education Act is described, with focus on the Financial Aid Handbook, advertising financial aid deadlines, and other pamphlets on student services and opportunities. (LBH)