Budget

Federal obligations for research appear to flatten in 2005, NSF study finds.

Letter to lawmakers says reductions in student loan programs would hurt students and lenders alike, limiting access to college.

Bills contain mostly bad tidings for colleges and students, especially on loans, but funds may surface for science grants and Katrina-damaged colleges.

A tumultuous day may only delay passage of budget and other bills that college groups generally dislike.

At presidents' summit, Bush administration officials propose Fulbright expansion and ask colleges for help.

Momentum to enact key legislation may be undercut by budget measure and political climate on Capitol Hill.

Congress slashes funds for programs aimed at training doctors in geriatrics and other fields and diversifying work force.

It is supposed to be a boon for colleges and students, the one major provision in federal legislation to reduce the budget deficit that makes it easier for higher education to swallow the unpalatable parts of the bill that cut benefits to students. After all, the proposed program would provide $3.75 billion in grant aid for students, a rare injection of new federal funds into higher education at a time of fiscal austerity and budget slashing.

As federal budget process gears up, Congressional aides anticipate more cuts to college-related programs.

In State of the Union address, Bush proposes doubling spending on basic research in physical sciences over a decade.