Need to Travel: Examining the Relationship Between Students' Financial Need Status and Study Abroad

• In Event: Hilton Roundtable Session 18
  In Roundtable Session: International Study Abroad

Abstract

This study explores the factors influencing student decisions to participate in study abroad while focusing on the role of financial need in this decision-making process. Results indicate that the study abroad patterns of students receiving need-based aid differ significantly from those not receiving need based aid, particularly on variables thought to consistently predict study abroad participation, such as gender and race/ethnicity. These findings suggest that financial need may not be the primary barrier to study abroad participation among financially needed students, and have important implications for policy and practice that is focused on opening access to study abroad to a diverse U.S. student population.

Authors

• Melissa Whatley, University of Georgia - Athens

• Ashley Brooke Clayton, Louisiana State University