This article conducts a meta-analysis of results of studies by Andrieu (1991), DeAngelis (1998), and Liseo (2005) to assess changes over time in the effects of financial aid and other factors on graduate student persistence. A descriptive review of the studies finds that combination aid packages encouraged persistence in 1987 (Andrieu, 1991),…

The authors examine the factors that influence the college choice process of two-year college students and explore the effect these variables have on the two-year/four-year college choice dichotomy, using the National Postsecondary Student Aid Study (NPSAS) of 1995-96 and the Beginning Postsecondary (BPS) component of that survey. This study…

Examined performance funding, specifically one common performance measure--student persistence--at three institutions within a single state: a flagship university, a historically black university, and a regional, comprehensive institution. Sought to determine if the outcomes were those intended by policy makers. Uncovered variables that affected…

Used National Postsecondary Student Aid Study data to examine how debtload influenced undergraduate persistence decisions at public and private colleges. Tuition prices had a significant negative effect on persistence, though that effect decreased from 1987-93 in all cases. At every level, private school students were more sensitive to the effects…

Examined the influence of student debt load on college persistence using data from the National Postsecondary Aid Survey of 1992-93 and a model of student persistence that includes either total accumulated debt or threshold of accumulated debt. Findings indicated threshold of accumulated debt was a more effective method of examining student debt…

Analyzes the influence of student aid on enrollment decisions of all accepted applicants at four institutions. Student aid was negatively associated with first-time enrollment, indicating that, in most cases, the amount of aid available was insufficient relative to the cost of college attendance. This suggests that institutions need to study their…

A study of applicants to an urban public university investigated the effect of scholarship size on attendance and persistence, impact of scholarship students on the school, and potential effects of different distributions of scholarship funds. Results suggest institutions using large scholarships should examine yield and persistence rates. (MSE)

An institutional model to measure effect of student financial aid on matriculation and persistence was found to be both workable and potentially useful for college planning. It examines first-time attendance, within-year persistence, and year-to-year persistence of the entering class at an urban, public university, factoring in student background,…