Improving College Access and Success for Low-Income Students: Evidence from a Large Need-Based Grant Program

• 成果类型: Article
• 署名作者: Fack, Gabrielle; Grenet, Julien
• 署名单位: Paris School of Economics; Paris School of Economics
• 刊物名称: AMERICAN ECONOMIC JOURNAL-APPLIED ECONOMICS
• ISSN/ISSBN: 1945-7782
• DOI: 10.1257/app.20130423
• 发表日期: 2015
• 页码: 1-34
• 关键词: massachusetts adams scholarship; financial-aid; education; enrollment; INFORMATION; completion; assistance; attendance; decisions; veterans

摘要

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.