In a sequential, explanatory mixed method design, we studied 1,126 students matched by high-achieving ability, income level, race, gender, and cohort at four-year college entry to determine whether the financial concerns of program students and a matched sample varied by selectivity of their freshman institution. Results indicate low-income…

Despite the number of arguments in support of or against the value and relevance of historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs), there is little literature that takes an in-depth look at the diversity among HBCUs and the students who choose them. The purpose of this study was to explore the college choice motivations and academic…

The college choices of the academically talented and their financing of college were studied through a 1981 survey of 280 National Merit scholars in Indiana. The influences of college majors, family size and income, parental occupation and education, and national test performance were examined. The Indiana Merit scholars more often majored in…

Difficulties facing private colleges and universities in the future are considered, with attention to the situation in North Carolina. An important determinant of the future of independent higher education will be public policy. Three major considerations include: private colleges and universities are public resources and serve a predominantly…

Scholarship aid continues to be crucially important in attracting and retaining students in higher education institutions (Abrahamson & Hossler, 1990; Cabrera, Nora, & Castaneda, 1992; Paulsen & St. John, 1997; Schuh, 2000; St. John, 1992; St. John et al., 1994; Terkla, 1985). Although the general concept and effect of financial assistance is…

The college designations of over 5,800 recent graduates of 60 private secondary schools and the relationships between characteristics of these schools and the average selectivity of the colleges attended for each school were investigated. Aggregating all graduates, the data show considerable success in gaining admission to selective, prestigious…

As the pool of outstanding college bound students has declined, the use of merit scholarships has increased as a means of attracting high quality students. When Boston University began again in 1974 to use merit scholarships, it decided to analyze how well the awards serve their purpose. The study showed that they are effective in increasing…