Student Financing of Higher Education: A Comparative Perspective

The financing of higher education is undergoing great change in many countries around the world. In recent years many countries are moving from a system where the costs of funding higher education are shouldered primarily by taxpayers, through government subsidies, to one where students pay a larger share of the costs. There are a number of factors driving these trends, including:

1. • A push for massification of higher education, in the recognition that additional revenue streams are required above and beyond those funds available from governments in order to achieve higher participation rates
2. • Macroeconomic factors, which lead to constraints on overall government revenues
3. • Political factors, which manifest in demands for funding of over services, thus restricting the funding available for higher (tertiary) education
4. • A concern that the returns to higher education accrue primarily to the individual, rather than to society, and thus students should bear more of the burden of paying for it

This volume will help to contribute to an understanding of how these trends occur in various countries and regions around the world, and the impact they have on higher education institutions, students, and society as a whole. With contributions for the UK, USA, South Africa and China this vital new book gives a truly global picture of the rapidly changing situation

Donald E Heller is Professor of Education, Department of Education Policy Studies. Senior Scientist, Center for the Study of Higher Education. At The Pennsylvania State University, College of Education

From Januray 2012 he will take up the role of Dean, College of Education. Michigan State University,

Claire Callender is Professor of Higher Education Studies, Institute of Education, University of London (UK)