Home: Publications: Illuminations

Fixing the Formula (PDF) — Assessing the financial situation of independent students is an imprecise exercise. Flawed calculations can jeopardize educational opportunities for those truly in need. Review a report that proposes a more reliable method for determining independent students' financial aid. (March 2006)

Data Don’t Drive: Building a Practitioner-Driven Culture of Inquiry to Assess Community College Performance (PDF) — Community colleges can use data to improve their service to students. Review a range of data-based benchmarking practices and learn how these benchmarking practices can improve student learning and help students complete their courses of study. (December 2005)

Weighing the benefits of college-savings plans (PDF) — State governments have instituted prepaid tuition plans and savings-incentive programs known as “529 plans.” Learn why these federally subsidized college savings plans seldom aid low-income families and may even penalize them. (July 2004)

Increasing need-based grant aid to expand college access (PDF) — The buying power of the federal Pell grant has dropped sharply as college costs have increased, decreasing postsecondary opportunity for lower-income students. Learn why the most efficient way for states to expand access to postsecondary education is to increase their investments in need-based grant aid. (February 2004)

Doors to higher education remain closed for many students (PDF) — When it comes to increasing access to higher education, there's not enough money and money's not enough. Each year, thousands of qualified students fail to enter into higher education. Find out why. (August 2003)

Tuition discounting may not be working as intended (PDF) — Find out why tuition discounting may carry unintended, negative consequences for colleges and universities and for some low-income students. (May 2003)

Developing a system to follow students' progress (PDF) — Learn why it is both feasible and desirable to develop a comprehensive system to follow students' progress and success in the nation's colleges and universities. (April 2003)

Indiana program helps kids meet access challenge (PDF) — Examine a program designed to improve the academic preparation of Indiana students by providing incentives to students and schools for expanding college prep and honors classes. (August 2002)

Postsecondary education is becoming increasingly important, increasing expensive (PDF) — The rising cost of college makes access to college difficult, particularly for low-income students. Learn the facts and get a list of experts who can speak to these important issues. (August 2002)