The Cost of Going to College: Understanding Financial Factors Affecting Latino Male College Enrollment

• In Event: Latinx Students and Families Choosing College and Graduate School

Abstract

Latina/o student college enrollment going to college has increased in recent years. However, Latino male students continue to face barriers in accessing America’s institutions of higher education. Close examination is needed to understand about the specific college choice decisions that Latina/o students are making, specifically Latino males. By using data from the High School Longitudinal Study of 2009, this study examines how the postsecondary enrollment decisions of Latina/o students are influenced by financial factors such as cost of attendance and availability of financial aid resources. This study also examines how Latino males and Latina females react differently to cost signals about higher education.

Authors

• Victor B. Saenz, The University of Texas at Austin

• Jorge Burmicky, The University of Texas - Austin

• Rodrigo Aguayo, The University of Texas at Austin

• Wonsun Ryu, University of Texas at Austin