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Research ArticleArticles

Freshman Year Financial Aid Nudges: An Experiment to Increase FAFSA Renewal and College Persistence

Benjamin L. Castleman and Lindsay C. Page
Journal of Human Resources, March 2016, 51 (2) 389-415; DOI: https://doi.org/10.3368/jhr.51.2.0614-6458R
Benjamin L. Castleman
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Lindsay C. Page
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Abstract

In this paper we investigate, through a randomized controlled trial design, the impact of a personalized text messaging intervention designed to encourage college freshmen to refile their Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and maintain their financial aid for sophomore year. The intervention produced large and positive effects among freshmen at community colleges where text recipients were almost 14 percentage points more likely to remain continuously enrolled through the Spring of sophomore year. By contrast, the intervention did not improve sophomore year persistence among freshmen at four-year institutions among whom the rate of persistence was already high.

  • Received June 2014.
  • Accepted November 2014.
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Journal of Human Resources: 51 (2)
Journal of Human Resources
Vol. 51, Issue 2
31 Mar 2016
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Freshman Year Financial Aid Nudges: An Experiment to Increase FAFSA Renewal and College Persistence
Benjamin L. Castleman, Lindsay C. Page
Journal of Human Resources Mar 2016, 51 (2) 389-415; DOI: 10.3368/jhr.51.2.0614-6458R

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Freshman Year Financial Aid Nudges: An Experiment to Increase FAFSA Renewal and College Persistence
Benjamin L. Castleman, Lindsay C. Page
Journal of Human Resources Mar 2016, 51 (2) 389-415; DOI: 10.3368/jhr.51.2.0614-6458R
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    • I. Introduction
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