Texas' main college opportunity financial aid program would add tough academic standards and not just be based on a student's economic need beginning in 2010 under a plan approved Thursday by a state higher education governing board.

The ongoing turmoil in the economy will make paying for college more difficult. University economics professor Anil Bera said the indirect effects of the market's troubles will require more students to apply for financial aid. This adds to the increa

China's ministries of finance and education will offer financial aid to poorer students from quake-hit areas to guarantee their schooling over the next two academic terms.

For many colleges, the last 15 years have been a golden age. Philanthropy and Americans' grudging tolerance for high tuition fueled an unprecedented boom -- investments in everything from gyms, dorms and labs to faculty and expanded financial aid.

Before state lawmakers passed legislation in January changing the way school districts in New Jersey would be funded, many predicted the law would end up before the state Supreme Court.