An agenda for research on financial issues in graduate education is proposed for the National Commission for Student Financial Assistance, based on the stipulations of Public Law 96-374, Section 491, part (7)(A). Research needs are as follows: (1) to determine the extent to which students may be dissuaded from pursuing graduate education on financial grounds to the detriment of the major fields of knowledge and the nation as a whole; (2) investigate existing and projected levels of graduate student indebtedness, expectations for borrowing, and implications; (3) analyze trends and shortcomings in the sources of support available to students for the financing of graduate education; (4) consider the financial and educational needs of persons from disadvantaged backgrounds; and (5) assess the desirability of modifying existing federal fellowship and assistance programs or establishing a new federal graduate student assistance program. The following sources of support to students are compared by type and level by discipline: the federal government; state and local governments; foundations, corporations, and other private entities; higher education institutions; and students and their families. The relevant text of the legislation is included. (SW)