Also known as "free tuition," college promise programs are emerging across the United States as a potential mechanism for improving college access and affordability, Whether these initiatives are an effective use of resources depends on whether programs advance societal goals for equity and efficiency. Although some emerging research…

This study explores the occupational aspirations of high school students planning to attend college by drawing on a multilayered model of college enrollment, social cognitive career theory, and multiple descriptive case studies of 15 high schools. Students' occupational aspirations and their understanding of the education required to achieve these…

This study uses data from 15 descriptive case studies to explore high school students' perceptions of scholarships and the forces that contribute to these perceptions. The findings describe six themes that emerged from the data analyses: (a) awareness of scholarships; (b) perceptions of institutional scholarships; (c) motivations for pursuing…

Over the past four decades, policymakers have developed numerous policies and programs with the goal of increasing college enrollment. Despite the apparent plentitude of policies and programs, however, college access and choice for recent high school graduates remain stratified by socioeconomic status and race/ethnicity. By characterizing the ways…

Reviews and synthesizes what is known from prior research about racial and ethnic group differences in college enrollment and identifies areas for intervention. Presents a theoretical framework for understanding such differences and discusses the appropriateness of an expanded econometric model for understanding the differences. Considers…

This study was based in data from a national survey used to examine the extent to which precollege outreach programs contain components that address the known predictors of college enrollment. The analyses show that only one fourth of programs targeting historically underrepresented groups contain components that correspond to five of the most…

Describes early intervention programs designed to encourage later college attendance. The programs provide disadvantaged students with the opportunity to develop skills, knowledge, confidence, aspirations, and overall preparedness for college early enough in their schooling to influence their ultimate educational attainment levels. Discusses…