Student Aid Policy

Education Department officials say they will work through Jan. 20 to review claims of defrauded students, but borrowers and advocates call for more urgency.

GAO report faults Education Department for serious ‘shortcomings’ in estimating cost of income-based repayment programs, giving new ammunition to congressional Republicans.

Graduates who earned certificates at public institutions have larger salaries, but there is wide variation between programs even at the same institutions.

Federal funding is a top item to watch, along with enrollments and fund-raising.

Democrats, higher education groups and consumer advocates renew their push for Congress to restore year-round Pell Grants and strengthen the program during a lame-duck session after the election.

Free public college would end our nation’s addiction to debt-financed higher education, writes David Bergeron, a worthy goal even if private colleges will need to make adjustments.

Education Department releases regulations to protect student borrowers against fraudulent and abusive institutions. Although rules are aimed at for-profit colleges, critics say they could have repercussions for all colleges.

Student borrowing drops for the fifth straight year as the rate of tuition increases slows.