Formative Influences: How Capital Shapes Rural Students' College-Going Intentions

• In Event: Marriott Roundtable Session 9
  In Roundtable Session: Experience, Knowledge, and Resources: Factors Shaping College Aspirations of Rural Youth (Table 8)

Abstract

This paper is part of a longitudinal study designed to investigate how a cohort of rural high school seniors develops college-going intentions. Rural students experience inequities in access to higher education. Furthermore, most research on rural students' college-going analyzes their deficits. In contrast, this qualitative paper uses an asset-based approach to focus on resources and forms of capital that shape students’ post-secondary plans. Rural students’ unique challenges to college-going include fewer family members who have attended college, that they are often required to leave their communities to attend college, as well as significant worry about the financial aspect of attending college. However, students noted that the community, school, and family members played a prominent role in their college-going decisions.

Authors

• Anne Hornak, Central Michigan University
  Presenting Author

• Sarah Williams, Grand Valley State University
  Presenting Author

• Skylar Duke, Mid Michigan College
  Presenting Author

• Frim Ampaw, Morgan State University
  Presenting Author