New data now available from EconomicDiversity.org
Financial aid data for the 2005-06 academic year shows that the percentage of students applying
for federal financial aid increased much faster at community colleges than at four-year
institutions over the past five years. Campus-specific data compiled by the Institute for College
Access & Success - and now available on EconomicDiversity.org - shows a 37 percent increase
in the proportion of community college students applying for federal aid nationwide, compared
with ten percent at four-year public institutions, and seven percent at four-year private nonprofit
institutions.
"Financial aid application rates at community colleges are definitely on the rise, but the
proportion of community college students who apply for aid is still much lower than at four-year
schools," said Robert Shireman, President of the Institute for College Access & Success, home of
EconomicDiversity.org. "As costs like housing and textbooks continue to rise along with tuition
and fees, financial aid is becoming a necessity for more community college students."
|
Sector
|
2000-01
|
2005-06
|
Percentage change
|
|
Public four-year
|
53.5%
|
59.2%
|
+ 10.5%
|
|
Private non-profit
four-year
|
61.7%
|
66.0%
|
+ 7.1%
|
|
Public two-year
|
24.8%
|
34.1%
|
+ 37.3%
|
EconomicDiversity.org is the only publicly available web site with campus-level, multi-year data
on student income, financial aid, race and ethnicity, loan debt, and other variables. Users can
easily view data on specific colleges and universities, or compare multiple institutions. The site
can be used to identify trends in student enrollment, diversity and financial aid usage, and
compare colleges by state, sector, and other criteria.
EconomicDiversity.org is maintained and updated with support from the Ford Foundation, the
William and Flora Hewlett Foundation, and The Pew Charitable Trusts. The site is operated by
the Institute for College Access & Success, in partnership with MPR Associates, a research firm.
The information in the database is derived primarily from U.S. Department of Education sources,
with additional data licensed from Peterson's.
# # # #
An independent, nonprofit organization, the Institute for College Access & Success works to make higher education
more available and affordable for people of all backgrounds. By conducting and supporting nonpartisan research,
analysis, and advocacy, the Institute aims to improve the processes and public policies that can pave the way to
successful educational outcomes for students and for society.
Posted 02/26/08 to www.NASFAA.org. Posting of press releases is done as a service to Members and does not imply endorsement or support by NASFAA. NASFAA does not review this information for content or accuracy.
