The correlation between financial support and college student attrition: A quantitative study
Year: 2019
Type: dissertation
Abstract: College is becoming more expensive and many students that start college do not finish and leave college with debt and no college credential. Therefore, the purpose of this quantitative study is to describe and enhance our academic understanding of which variables are associated with attrition using Expectancy Value Theory (2009) using data extracted from the High School Longitudinal Study (HSLS: 2009) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES). Research questions include FAFSA completion, support received during high school to complete the FAFSA, and expectations and receipt of scholarships, grants and loans. Regression, correlation, and predicted probabilities are employed to which variables are associated with a student’s college departure. Although the research questions provided no significant association with financial support and attrition, results from this study included a significant association between SES and attrition and high school math scores and attrition. Additionally, expecting scholarships and receiving loans were shown to have a higher probability of retention in college. This study showed the importance of continued inequality of access, attrition, and completion of economically disadvantaged students form lower SES families, the importance of high school math scores, students who expect scholarships and grants, and students that receive loans can increase the likelihood of lower attrition in college.
Author: Sarah Schwintz
Language: English
Subfield: Education
Field: Social Sciences
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W3011557139