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Financial Aid's Role in Meeting State College Completion Goals

Author

Listed:
  • Nicholas W. Hillman

    (Educational Leadership and Policy Analysis, University of Wisconsin)

  • Erica Lee Orians

    (Educational Leadership and Policy, University of Utah)

Abstract

This brief utilizes the most recent and rigorous financial aid research to inform state higher education leaders about innovative and effective financial aid practices. By simplifying aid eligibility requirements, improving the aid application process, and engaging in early awareness efforts, states could improve the effectiveness of existing aid programs. Additionally, by targeting aid in ways that encourage college completion, more students (particularly those who are most constrained by finances) will improve their chances of earning postsecondary degrees. In recent years, several states have adopted goals of greatly increasing educational attainment levels, so we argue that innovative financial aid policy reform is one of the necessary steps toward meeting these goals. This brief can inform ongoing policy negotiations between state commissioners of higher education, state education task forces, and education and workforce legislative committees. © 2013 Association for Education Finance and Policy

Suggested Citation

  • Nicholas W. Hillman & Erica Lee Orians, 2013. "Financial Aid's Role in Meeting State College Completion Goals," Education Finance and Policy, MIT Press, vol. 8(3), pages 349-363, July.
  • Handle: RePEc:tpr:edfpol:v:8:y:2013:i:3:p:349-363
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    Cited by:

    1. Michael K. McLendon & Laura W. Perna, 2014. "State Policies and Higher Education Attainment," The ANNALS of the American Academy of Political and Social Science, , vol. 655(1), pages 6-15, September.
    2. Michael K. McLendon & David A. Tandberg & Nicholas W. Hillman, 2014. "Financing College Opportunity," The ANNALS of the American Academy of Political and Social Science, , vol. 655(1), pages 143-162, September.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    financial aid; state colleges;

    JEL classification:

    • I21 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education - - - Analysis of Education
    • I22 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education - - - Educational Finance; Financial Aid
    • I28 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education - - - Government Policy

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