Challenges to College AccessChallenges to College Access and Financial Aid and Financial Aid

Challenges to College AccessChallenges to College Access and Financial Aid and Financial Aid

A Preliminary View of the A Preliminary View of the CHEPA Study High CHEPA Study High

SchoolsSchools

Mari Luna De La Rosa, Ph.D.Mari Luna De La Rosa, Ph.D.

Challenges to College AccessChallenges to College Access and Financial Aid and Financial Aid

Challenges to College AccessChallenges to College Access and Financial Aid and Financial Aid

Context of the Issue

• Research indicates that students need basic information about college options and financial aid.

Context of the Issue

• Low-SES students and families of color are the least likely to receive this information.

Purpose of the CHEPA Study

• To determine how low-income students and families understand college access and financial aid.

Description of the Study

• 8 low-income high schools in the Los Angeles County area.

• Interview junior and senior students.• Focus groups for parents and families.• Interview college counselors and

teachers.• Attend and observe college and financial

aid activities.

Description of the CHEPA Study High Schools

• Enrollment ranges from 1,000 to 5, 000 students.

• Number of teachers (both credentialed and uncredentialed) range from 38 to 168.

• Number of 12th graders range from 181 to 786.

• Number of college counselors at each school: 1.

• Number of college preparation programs on each campus range from 2 to 7.

College-Going Data, 2002-03Source: CA Dept. of Education and APPRIS.org

380251

437

1,200

2,090

3,793

1,848

3,795

0

1000

2000

3000

4000

12th

Gra

ders

SAT Tes

t Tak

ers

Scorin

g ove

r 100

0

Gra

duates

Met

A-G

Going to

UC

Going to

CSU

Goin

g to C

C

College-Going Data by Race/ethnicity, 2002-03

7 (0%)12 (0%)13 (0%)

276 (13%)392 (10%)383 (10%)

976 (47%)

2,035 (54%)2,152 (57%)

651 (31%)

1,039 (27%)973 (26%)

180 (9%)303 (8%)274 (7%)

0

500

1000

1500

2000

2500

3000

Grade 12 Graduates Completed A-G

American Indian Asian American/PI Latino/a African American White

SAT Test Takers by Race/ethnicity, 2002-03 (Counts and %)

6 (0%)

209 (11%)

616 (33%)

495 (27%)

96 (5%)

426 (23%)

0

100

200

300

400

500

600

700

American Indian Asian American/PI Latino/a African American White Unknown

N=1,848

Average SAT Score by Race/ethnicity, 2002-03

795

1041

941

774

0

200

400

600

800

1000

1200

American Indian Asian American/PI Latino/a African American White

Test results not available for American

Indian students.

Implications for Policy

• Enhance the understanding of the college-going culture.

• Increase the number of students preparing for college (i.e., A-G courses, SAT exams.)

• Target information on college options and financial aid.

Contact Information

Mari Luna De La Rosa, Ph.D.Postdoctoral Research Associate

m.lunadelarosa@usc.edu(213) 821-2131