A Policy Research Agenda for Postsecondary Student Aid

This article seeks to identify critical research topics in student financial aid, the results of which will aid choices among possible public policies affecting postsecondary education. Four seem especially compelling: evaluation of student aid’s accomplishments and shortcomings, student loans, access for minorities, and college costs. The author prefaces this research agenda with four “propositions” about public policy and those who make it that can help identify the kind of research most likely to influence public debate.