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Prins, E., Kassab, C., & Campbell, K. Characteristics of Pennsylvania students pursuing postsecondary education: A rural-urban analysis of data from the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Center for Rural Pennsylvania ($50,000). 2012-13

 Access to higher education, especially for low-income, minority, and rural students, remains a priority interest among policymakers, education professionals, and the general public. This research analyzed the demographic, financial, and educational characteristics of Pennsylvania postsecondary students using the 2010-11 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA, n = 610,925), supplemented by interviews with two policy experts and six financial aid administrators at rural postsecondary institutions in Pennsylvania. The analyses identified rural-nonrural differences among students pursuing the same type of degree and among subsets of students such as GED® recipients and adult learners age 24 or older. In addition, the study examined the distinctive needs and challenges of rural postsecondary students.

 Links to publications based on this research:

  1. Prins, E. & Kassab, C. (2017). Rural/Non-rural differences among Pennsylvania  FAFSA applicants pursuing the same type of postsecondary degree. Journal of Research in Rural Education, 32(7), 1-16.
  2. Prins, E. & Kassab, C. (2015). GED recipients in postsecondary education: A rural-urban analysis of Pennsylvania FAFSA applicants' educational, demographic, and financial characteristics. Journal of Research and Practice for Adult Literacy, Secondary, and Basic Education, 4(2),20-36.
  3. Prins, E., Kassab, C., & Campbell, K. (2015). Adult learners in adult education: A rural-urban analysis of Pennsylvania FAFSA applicants' educational, demographic, and financial characteristics. The Journal of Continuing Higher Education, 63(2), 71-85.
  4. Prins, E. & Campbell, K. (2014). Financial needs and characteristics of students pursuing postsecondary education in Pennsylvania: A rural-urban analysis, Executive Summary. The Center for Rural Pennsylvania.  www.rural.palegislature.us
  5. Prins, E. & Campbell, K. (2014).  Financial needs and characteristics of students pursuing postsecondary education in Pennsylvania: A rural-urban analysis, Full Report.The Center for Rural Pennsylvania, www.rural.palegislature.us