Project Activities
Researchers are using a randomized control trial (RCT) to examine the impact of receiving an FWS offer on low-income undergraduate aid applicants a large, urban public college system. They are also carrying out an in-depth implementation and cost study, drawing upon administrator interviews, student focus groups, and a student survey, in addition to administrative data on the nature and quality of FWS jobs on campus. Supplementary analyses will use historical administrative data to provide additional context for interpretating the RCT results.
Structured Abstract
Setting
The setting for this study is a large, urban public college system in the northeast comprised of multiple undergraduate campuses, including both community colleges and 4-year colleges.
Sample
Researchers will identify low-income aid applicants and will create a sample of over 20,000 applicants across five cohorts. Researchers will engage 6 campuses for the in-depth implementation and cost studies.
The FWS program as implemented in this urban system includes up to $8,000 in financial support to students as compensation for on-campus employment.
Research design and methods
Researchers will evaluate the FWS program using an RCT. The study's timeframe will allow the research team to gather data up to 5 years after the initial cohort is randomized, with all cohorts followed for at least 2 years. Using primarily administrative data, researchers will estimate the intent-to-treat (ITT) effect of receiving an FWS offer on both confirmatory and exploratory outcomes. They will also conduct qualitative fieldwork, including administrator interviews and student focus groups, at six campuses and a student survey administered to a randomly selected subsample of treatment and control group applicants. Separate but related analyses will include a quasi-experimental assessment of the effect of receiving an FWS offer for applicants prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, and a quasi-experimental assessment of the effect of minimum wages on student employment decisions.
Control condition
The control condition will be no centralized FWS offer.
Key measures
Confirmatory, or primary, outcomes are 1) enrollment in the Fall of the 2nd year post-randomization, and 2) degree completion or continued baccalaureate enrollment by the Spring of the 3rd year post-randomization. Exploratory, or secondary, outcomes include initial enrollment and FWS program participation, as well as measures of employment and earnings in the first two years post-randomization.
Data analytic strategy
Researchers will use ordinary least squares regression (OLS) to estimate the ITT and a two-stage least squares approach to estimate the TOT effects of the intervention. The research team will analyze the qualitative and survey data using descriptive methods including analytic coding and OLS regression.
Cost analysis strategy
The cost analysis will use the ingredients method to calculate how much it costs colleges to administer the FWS program. The cost-effectiveness analysis will assess the efficiency of FWS from college-level and federal perspectives.
People and institutions involved
IES program contact(s)
Project contributors
Products and publications
Researchers will produce interim implementation and cost briefs and final impact and cost-effectiveness reports.
Questions about this project?
To answer additional questions about this project or provide feedback, please contact the program officer.
