Student Aid Policy

The share of students defaulting on their federal loans within three years fell this year, as the Obama administration again made a controversial tweak to the default rates in ways that helped some colleges.

Armed with a new report outlining student loan servicing problems, the consumer bureau says it's exploring tougher new regulation of the industry.

Community college students who take out small federal loans are more likely to default, new report finds, and most defaulters earned fewer than 15 credits and never made a payment on their debt.

Allowing applicants for financial aid to use income information from two-year-old tax returns, instead of only the prior year's, is a big win for students, says W. Kent Barnds.

The administration's new college Scorecard makes such students invisible, writes U of Phoenix president.

The Obama administration's FAFSA changes generate support -- and a few questions -- from colleges and financial aid experts.

"Prior-prior year" and ability to apply months earlier than in the past are seen as ways to simplify the process.