Student Aid Policy

Possible end game for competency-based education emerges with five new "direct assessment" programs, as foundations and experts discuss how to ensure academic quality.

Yes, student loan debt is a major problem, but the proposals offered by both President Obama and Senate Republicans won't solve it, writes Aaron Smith.

When President Obama's budget proposal emerges today, it is expected to include a proposal for a market-based student loan interest rate, putting him at odds with student advocates who were former allies.

A new report on rethinking financial aid calls for splitting the main federal need-based-aid program in two, with one grant for adult students and another for traditional-age students.

A focus group study of financial aid award letters suggests students and parents want clear information, but haven't found it in existing recommendations for financial aid disclosures.

Vanderbilt has seen average student debt decline due to “singular focus” on fund raising for need-based financial aid, a potential model for other universities. Hopkins has taken similar approach.

After a slew of complaints about federal and private loan processing and collection, Consumer Financial Protection Bureau seeks oversight of the largest servicers.