What Money Can't Buy: An Examination of a Complete Financial Aid Program for Low-income Students

Providing low-income students with access to higher education is a critical priority, particularly with increasing costs associated with attending college. Recently, a variety of institutions have implemented new initiatives designed to improve access for this population, including the creation of complete, non-repayable financial aid packages; however, it is unclear if these financial aid packages positively influence students' persistence. Moreover, the majority of research studies regarding the importance and potential benefits of financial aid programs for low-income students have been limited to issues related to access.

The Financial Nexus Model The financial nexus between college choice and
persistence offers a theoretical perspective that provides higher education
administrators with insight into the influence of costs and financial aid on
enrollment, the ...