Student Aid Policy

Federal spending on the biggest student grant program surprisingly declines by $2.2 billion, even as numbers of recipients increased. But a sword still hangs over the program.

The credit hour wasn't supposed to measure learning, for good reason, according to a new report, which recommends how to revise or even drop the standard without leading to abuse.

Black students are far less likely than others to retain state lottery scholarships in the South, study finds. Odds are worse for those who are black and low-income, with low ACT scores and grades.

Euphoria about massive online courses aside, they aren't the answer to improving access to higher education for low-income students, writes Ryan Craig.

Long Island U. is latest college to face budget problems after overspending on financial aid, a reflection of how the affordability crisis is squeezing institutions.

Contrary to a previous essay, campus financial aid administrators believe award letters can be improved and students better informed about the price of higher education, writes Justin Draeger.

Some colleges are resisting the Education Department's new "Shopping Sheet." That's a mistake, writes Rachel Fishman, because it helps students and parents compare true costs of college.