Foreign Funding’s Questionable Odor
“Money doesn’t stink.” This proverb—pecunia non olet in the original Latin—is associated with the Roman emperor Vespasian, in justification of his decision to use public toilets to generate revenue. When…
How to Combat Financial-Aid Fraud
Every year, postsecondary institutions of all kinds distribute hundreds of billions of dollars in student financial aid across the United States—not to mention the tens of billions in aid allocated…
Understanding In-State Tuition
When determining tuition costs, public colleges and universities typically distinguish between in-state and out-of-state students, with in-state tuition set at a far lower rate than out-of-state tuition. In North Carolina,…
The Consumer Mindset Undermines Colleges
A recent Inside Higher Ed Student Voice survey found that over 60 percent of college students view themselves as customers, an alarming sign for anyone concerned about the integrity and…
How to Judge a Basic-Research Proposal
Tech megastar Peter Thiel, in a recent interview, said that he no longer trusts science. Lesser luminaries and no small segment of the public have said much the same. The…
A Memo to College Presidents
The higher-education landscape has been radically transformed in recent months. Yet, for all the excited headlines and frenetic chatter, I’m not sure that college presidents, trustees, and alumni groups fully…
From High School to Law School
Recently, I had the pleasure to interview a North Carolina State University alum, Richard Basile, who graduated with his bachelor’s degree last December at only 19 years of age. By…
Trump’s Election Killed Loan Forgiveness for Millennials
As Joe Biden’s presidency ends, it’s clear his record makes him the most aggressive president in history on student-loan forgiveness. His Department of Education extended the COVID-19 interest-accumulation freeze; introduced…
Trade Schools Are Tackling the Ivies
Ivy League schools have long captured the hearts and minds of Americans and are often believed to represent the best possible educational endeavors available in the United States. Yet a…
Are Microcredentials Worth the Cost?
In recent years, short-term credentials (also known as “microcredentials” or “postsecondary programs and certificates … which generally take one year or less to earn”) have gained traction among students wishing…