Improving College Access and Success for Low-Income Students: Evidence from a Large Need-Based Grant Program
American Economic Journal: Applied Economics
vol. 7,
no. 2, April 2015
(pp. 1-34)
Abstract
Using comprehensive administrative data on France's single largest financial aid program, this paper provides new evidence on the impact of large-scale need-based grant programs on the college enrollment decisions, persistence, and graduation rates of low-income students. We exploit sharp discontinuities in the grant eligibility formula to identify the impact of aid on student outcomes at different levels of study. We find that the provision of 1,500 euros cash allowances to prospective undergraduate or graduate students increases their college enrollment rates by 5 to 7 percent. Moreover, we show that need-based grants have positive effects on student persistence and degree completion. (JEL H52, I22, I24, I28, J24)Citation
Fack, Gabrielle, and Julien Grenet. 2015. "Improving College Access and Success for Low-Income Students: Evidence from a Large Need-Based Grant Program." American Economic Journal: Applied Economics, 7 (2): 1-34. DOI: 10.1257/app.20130423Additional Materials
JEL Classification
- H52 National Government Expenditures and Education
- I22 Educational Finance; Financial Aid
- I24 Education and Inequality
- I28 Education: Government Policy
- J24 Human Capital; Skills; Occupational Choice; Labor Productivity
There are no comments for this article.
Login to Comment