The 90/10 rule dictates that no more than 90 percent of institutional revenue at a for-profit college or university (FPCU) can come from Title IV funds. The rule, originally an 85/15 ratio, was introduced in the 1992 amendments to the Higher Education Act and has been debated for 25 years. Proponents argue the rule raises institutional quality by…

Competency-based education is increasingly popular because of the flexibility it provides for students seeking a postsecondary credential. Current federal student aid, however, is geared toward supporting students in traditional, time-based degree programs. This paper discusses why current approaches to federal student aid are not supportive of…

The upcoming reauthorization of the Higher Education Act of 1965 provides opportunities and presents challenges for financial aid administrators. This article outlines steps that aid administrators can take and challenges they may face in preparing for and responding to new legislation.

Both federal spending on financial aid and student loan default rates have increased over the past decade. These trends have intensified policymakers' concerns that some postsecondary institutions-- particularly in the for-profit sector--maximize revenue derived from federal financial aid without helping students to graduate or find employment.…

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)

Results of a survey of the Western Association of Financial Aid Administrators concerning the prevalence and stringency of validation procedures used in 1985-86 are presented, and the impact and effectiveness of federal verification procedures in offices in that region are discussed. (MSE)

Increased responsibilities placed on financial aid offices and the results of a survey of Georgia public two-year colleges suggests the need for a staffing formula based not on the number of aid applicants but on standards more clearly reflecting the institution's commitment to enhancing educational opportunities for all students. (MSE)

Literature concerning U.S. proprietary vocational schools and student financial aid is reviewed, focusing on public and interprofessional attitudes, industry reforms, the schools as businesses, enrollments, student characteristics, program characteristics and costs, completions, job placement, earnings, federal student aid, aid recipients, and…

The computerized financial aid application editing system used at the University of South Carolina to ensure efficient processing and maintain quality control is described. The monitoring system is based on standardized codes derived from national need assessment services and consists of 18 edit checks and an interface between the admissions and…

A review of the literature on the impact of student financial aid on its stated goals of student access, choice, and retention concludes that its principal objectives are being accomplished. Further research is recommended, to be funded in part by a portion of the public aid allocated for financial aid. (MSE)

Basic legal knowledge that the student financial administrator needs is outlined: the legal system, requirements and regulations affecting financial aid, interacting with lawyers and the legal system, and substantive law and legal issues affecting the operation of the office. (MLW)

Analysis of the evolution of the regulatory process in federal student aid looks at the ability of stakeholders to influence results and concerns about overregulation. Alternative regulatory approaches, considered less burdensome, are examined, and the appropriateness of using student financial aid policy to achieve social and political objectives…

Pricing and financial aid issues affecting research universities, particularly private universities, are examined, including underpricing of services, decentralization, and diversification of higher education in the United States. The growth of federal regulation is also considered, especially the State Postsecondary Review Entities (SPREs)…

An analysis of increases in federal regulation of student financial aid since 1959 looks at changes in both volume and substance of the regulations, and the costs of implementing them. Federal initiatives to form partnerships with institutions in managing student aid are noted, including quality assurance efforts and innovative experiments in…

Department of Education regulations and initiatives designed to address problems of fraud, abuse, and loan default in federal student aid programs are examined. The scope and intrusiveness of some recent regulations are criticized, and unintended effects are noted, including increased administrative burdens on all institutions. (Author/MSE)