This study finds that at one university, college major, ethnicity, grade point average, age, and number of semesters required to complete a degree are relevant in determining the student loan debts of recent college graduates. Gender is found to be irrelevant in determining student loan balances. A large percentage of recent graduates have student…

While higher education is generally a high priority in boosting economic development, public budgets to sustain expansion of higher education systems remain limited around the globe. This fiscal stress creates an impetus for governments to develop various strategies to meet the growing demand--from both students and society--for higher education…

This research used a Web-based survey of students at a Midwest regional university to measure the extent of credit card use by first-year students and seniors. The results indicate that the variables influencing credit card use and the carrying of a balance from one month to the next include the number of cards held by the student, the student's…

Canadians have experienced a reduction in government funding toward postsecondary education over the past ten years, as well as a shift in student-support policies. Historically, paying the costs of postsecondary education in Canada has been a responsibility shared by the state, and students and parents. Changes in government policy have forced…

A recent article in the "New York Times" observed that the formula used by the federal government to distribute federal student aid funds favors the colleges and universities with greatest resources over those which are less well off ("New York Times," 2003). The story, "Richest Colleges Receive Richest Share of Federal Aid" by Greg Winter,…

This article provides benchmark measures of college student credit card usage by utilizing a pooled sample of over 300,000 recently opened credit card accounts. The analysis compares behavior over 12 months of account history for three groups of accounts: those opened by young adults through college student marketing programs; those opened through…

Financial aid and college preparatory programs are designed in part to allow students from low-income families to have the same choices of institutions as those from middle- and upper-income groups. Unfortunately, despite providing more than $100 billion in financial aid and college preparatory assistance, state and federal policy makers have been…

The cost of student loan defaults is a growing problem. At the beginning of this century, defaulted student loans exceed $25 billion (Student Aid News, 2001). In addition to the costs borne by the taxpayer as the federal government purchases defaulted accounts, there are costs incurred by schools, lenders, loan servicers, and guaranty agencies for…

Correlations were determined between use of the Lifetime Learning Tax Credit (LLTC) and a variety of demographic variables. Found that most LLTC users live in households from higher income brackets, and that adults with undergraduate degrees most often claim the LLTC. Minorities appear to be underrepresented. (EV)

Examined the influence of financial aid on the decision to enroll at the University of Washington by freshmen offered admission. Found that, controlling for sociodemographic and academic variables, self-help aid (federal student loans and federal work-study) had a negative influence on decision to enroll. Further, found differences in the…

A survey of students at a Midwestern university revealed that, overall, most students agreed or strongly agreed that they were adequately informed about financial aid; that understanding various aspects of financial aid was important; and that they received clear guidance to help resolve their problems or answer their questions by staff who served…

Provides a history of the Canadian government's involvement in helping postsecondary students with their educational costs. Addresses the post-war years, growth of loan programs in the 1960s, increased loan limits and interest relief in the 1980s, reworked loan programs and the introduction of tax credits in the 1990s, and reexamination of…

The fourth Nellie Mae survey of student loan borrowers in repayment reveals that education debt burdens remain manageable for most borrowers. A clear majority of those in repayment report that the benefits of the educational opportunities made possible through borrowing are well worth any problems associated with paying off the loans. There are,…

For several decades, education has assumed a vital role in this country's economic, social, and political development, catapulting less advantaged citizens into higher social classes and the political process. A testament to education's fundamental importance in our society are the numerous programs designed during the 1960s to eliminate the…

Despite substantive research at the national level, local institutional information on students who work off campus while enrolled full time has been sparse. After considering the need for local studies examining the causes of term-time employment and employment's role in persistence, this research explores the appropriateness of using total…