Federal Support for Higher Education: Budget Alternatives and Implications.

Overview & Synopsis

This paper is an attempt to draw together some of the criteria and information by which one might project the proper amount and form of federal financial support to higher education. The paper takes into account the financial crunch in higher education, the financial burdens on students and families, and the 1971-72 higher education legislation. It is summarized that federal aid to higher education should be in such a form and such an amount as to: (1) maximize the resources available from state and local governments, students and parents, and productivity increases in higher education; (2) compensate for persisting inefficiencies in state support of higher education; (3) compensate for an inadequate state tax base; and (4) reflect truly national goals such as (a) increasing the proportion of low income youth attending higher education, (b) supporting research, and (c) reducing state and regional disparities in available public services. In general, these guidelines suggest a form of federal support that would feature aid to students, institutions, states, educational programs, and categorical research. (Author/HS)