The Impact of Current Financial Aid Policies on College Graduation: Evidence from a Randomized Experiment

Sara Goldrick-Rab and Douglas N. Harris are conducting the first randomized trial testing the impact of need-based financial aid on college success: the Wisconsin Scholars Grant (WSG). The WSG targets graduates of Wisconsin public high schools who are enrolled at any of the 29 2-year or 13 4-year public colleges statewide and are receiving a Pell Grant as part of their aid package.

The study examines whether, how, and under what circumstances aid can be utilized to increase rates of postsecondary attainment among low-income college students. The project examines students attending colleges and universities across Wisconsin and will produce findings that can be generalized to low-income populations in other states and regions.