Background/Context: Accelerated Study in Associate Programs (ASAP) is a comprehensive program developed by the City University of New York (CUNY) that has demonstrated remarkable success for associate degree-seeking students, nearly doubling the three-year graduation rate in a randomized controlled trial (Scrivener, et al., 2015). The model has…

After decades of frustration with increasingly complex college financial aid policies, a nationwide shift toward "free college" programs has gained momentum. New York State joined the free college movement in 2017, when Governor Andrew Cuomo announced his goal to make public higher education tuition-free for most students during his…

The Pell Grant, while offering substantial financial support for low-income students pursuing higher education, historically covered only the costs of two full-time semesters per year and did not include assistance for summer courses. Research has consistently demonstrated that continuous enrollment throughout the academic year enhances college…

This study investigates how a network of New York City public schools use texting to increase enrollment and persistence in college. Text messages include tips and reminders to fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid as well as college tips. Our multiple regression results suggest that although when the texting began did not appear…

Interview results indicate that women in households receiving public assistance want fewer children than those in non-recipient households. Data suggest that, in general, public assistance may be a consequence of an untimely birth rather than a stimulus for that birth. (Author/AM)