| Title: | Information and College Access: Evidence From a Randomized Field Experiment |
| Description: | This study examined the impact of offering an online informational video and financial aid materials to high school students on: (1) their postsecondary aspirations, (2) the accuracy of their understanding of financial aid availability, and (3) the accuracy of their estimates of the economic benefits of postsecondary education. The study found that students offered the video and financial aid calculator reported more accurate assessments of returns to postsecondary education, less concern about postsecondary costs, and higher expectations for their educational attainment. The effects may have been larger for students who originally reported that they were unsure about their expected educational attainment. However, because of the need for additional data from the study authors, the What Works Clearinghouse (WWC) cannot confirm the statistical significance of any of the study's outcomes. |
| Online Availability: | |
| Cover Date: | January 2013 |
| Web Release: | January 8, 2013 |
| Publication #: | WWC QR0108 |
| Center/Program: | WWC |
| Associated Centers: | NCEE |
| Authors: | WWC |
| Type of Product: | Quick Review |
| Keywords: |
Higher Education
|
| Questions: |
For questions about the content of this Quick Review, please contact: Erin Pollard. |