In the news later today: Obama Plan on Higher Ed Could Be Controversial - Inside Higher Ed

The White House is keeping a tight lid on what might emerge during President Obama's two-day bus tour to address college affordability. But on the eve of those appearances, which begin today, sources said the president might seek to link federal financial aid to student outcomes, such as debt levels. Observers said that major proposal, which obviously would be controversial to many in higher education, likely would be accompanied by Obama signaling support for competency-based education, particularly programs that are not based on the credit-hour standard. However, the proposal's language was still being hashed out yesterday, sources said. http://www.insidehighered.com/quicktakes/2013/08/22/obama-plan-higher-ed-could-be-controversial