College Students and Financial Aid Help-Seeking: Predicting Single and Repeat Communications With Financial Aid Offices

• In Event: Investigating the Complexities of State and Federal Financial Aid Systems

Abstract

Financial aid research largely focuses on difficulties with the aid application process and to the extent of how financial aid helps students persist. As sparse research has explored which students seek financial aid help from their institution, this study uses this data to predict which student characteristics are most associated with a single communication with a financial aid office and multiple communications with a financial aid office. Results suggest students with lower expected family contributions (EFCs) and students on Pell Grants are more likely to visit financial aid offices once and continue to visit these offices, suggesting lower-income students may struggle with financial aid processes more than peers. Implications for research, policy, and practice are addressed.

Authors

• Justin Lamar Bryant, Prairie View A&M University
  Presenting Author

• Zach Taylor, University of Southern Mississippi
  Presenting Author