Student Aid Policy

Justice Department investigation into whether merit aid discussions violate antitrust rules highlights the barriers that private colleges face in dialing back the practice and the unclear laws under which they operate.

In its first year, a much-touted "shopping sheet" to help new college students and their families appears to be having minimal impact.

The Congressional Budget Office looks at costs and savings to the government of various proposed changes to federal student loan programs.

Proposal circulating on Capitol Hill asks accreditors to create a way for new providers to gain approval more quickly.

Historically black colleges urge Education Department to reconsider changes to some student loan criteria, and for-profit colleges and student advocates gear up for rewrite of "gainful employment" regulation.

As Congressional Democrats argue in favor of extending the current interest rate on subsidized student loans, House Republicans in committee back a bill that would overhaul how those rates are determined.

Bill introduced Thursday would create a federal database to track students through college and into the work force, but it's unclear whether "unit record" idea will find more favor than it did seven years ago.

Federal regulatory agency releases an overview of ways to help private student loan borrowers, but doesn't make specific suggestions on Congressional action.