Federal policy

At Congressional hearing, lawmakers grill the Department of Veterans Affairs on its outsourcing plans, and question whether it will meet its tight timetable for implementing the program.

Remarks by presidential candidates draw attention to issue at Columbia and elsewhere, but whether anything will change remains to be seen.

In choosing between the new and old educational benefit programs, veterans have many variables to consider. Here's a primer.

Who should be considered by a President Obama or a President McCain for education secretary? Some serious and not-so-likely ideas.

Provider settles with U.S. in a dispute over academic travel in Cuba. But because of stricter regulations (which this case predates), academic exchange remains limited.

Bob Shireman, Clinton White House veteran and college access advocate, tapped to help Obama team shape higher education policy. He plans not to work in the administration, though.

U.S. proposes regulations to govern Post-9/11 GI Bill, including -- of interest to private colleges -- rules for the Yellow Ribbon Program.

The first "Minerva" grants have been announced -- and they are going to respected scholars at leading universities for a range of topics that could inform U.S. military and diplomatic thinking. The grants also don't appear likely to end controversy over the program, although the change coming next month in the White House may lessen some concerns.

Under new GI Bill, veterans who study solely online won't be eligible for housing allowance that traditional students receive. Is privileging the on-campus experience overly romantic, or smart policy?

Colleges will soon decide whether to waive tuition for veterans as part of the Yellow Ribbon program, a component of the new GI Bill. A VA official answers some questions.