Work

Cost-Saving for Low-Income Students? Does Dual Enrollment Increase College Students’ Scholarships and Grants?

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: This study examines the relationship between earning dual credits and college students’ scholarships and grants packages and levels, focusing on low-income students. Using nationally representative data from the High School Longitudinal Study of 2009, I used a quasi-experimental approach to reduce selection bias of DE credit-earning coupled with regression models. The findings indicate that first-year college students with earned DE credits are about 1.5 times more likely to receive scholarships and grants, especially for merit-based aid. On average for the full sample, DE students receive $1,229 more in total scholarships and grants when compared with non-DE students, with $586 more in need-based grants and $502 in merit-based grants. However, for students with low-income backgrounds, having earned DE credits is only positively associated with an increased $1,107 in total scholarships and grants and an increased $658 in need-based grant when compared with non-DE low-income students.

Source: Journal of Student Financial Aid

DOI: 10.55504/0884-9153.1824

Author: Xiaodan Hu

Institution: Southern Methodist University

Language: English

Topic: Higher Education Research Studies

Subfield: Education

Field: Social Sciences

Domain: Social Sciences

SDGs: Reduced inequalities, Quality education

Open Access status: hybrid

Funder: University of Louisville