Work

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

Year: 2015

Type: article

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)

Source: American Economic Journal Applied Economics

DOI: 10.1257/app.20130423

Authors: Gabrielle Fack, Julien Grenet

Institutions: Centre d'Économie de la Sorbonne, Université Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne, Paris School of Economics

Language: English

Topic: Higher Education Research Studies

Subfield: Education

Field: Social Sciences

Domain: Social Sciences

SDGs: No poverty, Reduced inequalities, Quality education

Open Access status: green

Funder: Agence Nationale de la Recherche