Full Citation
Title: College Persistence and Major Choice: Assessing the Effectiveness of the Federal ACG and SMART Grant Programs
Citation Type: Dissertation/Thesis
Publication Year: 2014
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Abstract: Educational attainment, particularly in STEM fields, is a national priority. The Federal Government devotes tens of billions of dollars a year to educational assistance programs for needy post-secondary students and to scientific research. From 2007 to 2011, the Federal Government managed two grant programs- the ACG and SMART Grants- with the stated objectives to motivate greater academic achievement in high school and college, to augment college persistence rates, and to induce more students into STEM majors and fields of study. Using 2002-2012 panel data composed of institutional, labor market, and grant data, this thesis assesses how effective these grants were in meeting their educational objectives. Attention is also directed to the factors- academic, financial, or otherwise- that influence college persistence and major choice. This thesis concludes that the ACG Grant had no marked impact on college persistence, and that the SMART Grants impact was ambiguous, with conflicting results. Furthermore, scholastic aptitude and academic achievement are the primary causal factors in students educational decisions and outcomes.
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Authors: Goldberg-Richmeier, John
Institution: Colorado College
Department: Economics and Business
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Degree: B.A.
Publisher Location: Colorado Springs, Colorado
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Data Collections: IPUMS USA
Topics: Education
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