The FAFSA Completion Project: An Annotated Bibliography

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

Office of Elementary and Secondary Education (OESE)

The FAFSA Completion Project: An Annotated Bibliography

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

Office of Elementary and Secondary Education (OESE)

February 2011 This report was produced under U.S. Department of Education Contract No. ED-ESE-10-C-0076 with McKinley Group, LLC. Inas El-Sabban is the Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR). Braden Goetz and Veronica Riquelme, Office of Elementary and Secondary Education (OESE) served as Subject-Matter Experts (SME). The views expressed herein do not necessarily represent the positions or policies of the Department of Education. No official endorsement by the U.S. Department of Education of any product, commodity, service or enterprise mentioned in this publication is intended or should be inferred. U.S. Department of Education

Arne Duncan, Secretary

Office of Elementary and Secondary Education (OESE)

Thelma Meléndez de Santa Ana, Assistant Secretary

This report is in the public domain. Authorization to reproduce it in whole or in part is granted. While permission to reprint this publication is not necessary, the citation should be:

U.S. Department of Education, Office of Elementary and Secondary Education, The FAFSA Completion Project: An Annotated Bibliography, Washington, D.C., 2011.

The FAFSA Completion Project: An Annotated Bibliography iii

Table of Contents

Introduction .......................................................................................................................... 1

Resources for Principals and Administrators .......................................................................... 3

Breaking the Affordability Barrier: How much of the college access problem is attributable to lack of information about financial aid? .................................................... 3

Cashing in or Cashing Out: Tools for Measuring the Effectiveness & Outcomes of Financial Aid Events ............................................................................................................ 3

Challenging the Myth: Rethinking the Role of School Counselors ..................................... 3

The Effectiveness of Financial Aid in Improving College Enrollment: Lessons for Policy ... 4

A Gap in the Literature: The Influence of the Design, Operations, and Marketing of Student Aid Programs on College-Going Plans and Behaviors ........................................... 4

Helping Students Navigate the Path to College: What High Schools Can Do ..................... 4

Money on the Table: State Initiatives to Improve Financial Aid Participation ................... 5

From High School to the Future: Potholes on the Road to College .................................... 5

Putting Money on the Table: Information, Financial Aid and Access to College ............... 5

Telling the Story II. Developing a Tracking System in Chicago ........................................... 6

Understanding the Role of Post-Secondary Coaches in High Schools ................................ 6

What Is Known About the Impact of Financial Aid? Implications for Policy ...................... 7

What Matters for Staying On-Track and Graduating in Chicago Public Schools ................ 7

Resources for Counselors and Coaches .................................................................................. 9

College Readiness for All Toolbox ....................................................................................... 9

Completing the FAFSA ........................................................................................................ 9

EFC Calculator ..................................................................................................................... 9

English to Spanish Glossary of Financial Aid Terms .......................................................... 10

FAFSA Form Online ........................................................................................................... 10

Federal Student Aid for Counselors .................................................................................. 10

Financial Aid Applications: The Basics for Helping Students and Families ....................... 10

Financial Aid Estimator Tool – FAFSA4caster ................................................................... 11

Financial Aid Night Presentation ...................................................................................... 11

Hosting Financial Aid Events ............................................................................................. 11

I’m Going: College.gov PSA Resources ............................................................................. 11

PIN web site ...................................................................................................................... 12

Special Populations: Tips for Completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) ........................................................................................................................ 12

Resources for Students and Families .................................................................................... 13

College Preparation Checklist ........................................................................................... 13

College.gov ........................................................................................................................ 13

Am I Dependent or Independent? .................................................................................... 13

Do You Need Money for College? Federal Student Aid at a Glance 2011–12 .................. 13

FAFSA on the Web Worksheet .......................................................................................... 14

iv Table of Contents

FinAid: The SmartStudent™ Guide to Financial Aid .......................................................... 14

Funding Education Beyond High School: The Guide to Federal Student Aid ................... 14

A Guide for African-American Parents: How to Help Your Child Prepare for College and Career ......................................................................................................................... 14

A Guide for Hispanic Parents: How to Help Your Child Prepare for College and Career . 15

It’s My Life: Postsecondary Education and Training ......................................................... 15

Myths about Financial Aid ................................................................................................ 15

Steps to Federal Student Aid ............................................................................................ 15

Student Aid on the Web. FSA Portal ................................................................................. 16

What Information Do I Need When I Fill Out the FAFSA? ................................................ 16

What Is a Federal Student Aid PIN and Why Do I Need One? .......................................... 16

Who Is My “Parent” When I Fill Out the FAFSA? .............................................................. 16

Resources for Working with Data ......................................................................................... 17

Building Student-Level Longitudinal Data Systems: Lessons Learned from Four States .. 17

Creating a Longitudinal Data System ................................................................................ 17

Data-Driven High School Reform: The Breaking Ranks Model ......................................... 17

Every Student Counted: Using Longitudinal Data Systems to Calculate the National Governors Association’s High School Graduation Rate and Improve Student Success ... 18

Identifying Potential Dropouts: Key Lessons for Building an Early Warning Data System: A Dual Agenda of High Standards and High Graduation Rates ........................... 18

Improving Graduation Rates: Data-Driven Dropout Prevention ...................................... 18

It’s Not Just How You Analyze the Data, It's How You Use It: The Practical Implementation of the Chicago Model ............................................................................. 19

Maximizing the Power of Education Data while Ensuring Compliance with Federal Student Privacy Laws: A Guide for State Policymakers .................................................... 19

Tapping into the Power of Longitudinal Data: A Guide for School Leaders ..................... 19

This School Works for Me: A Guide for Data Analysts ...................................................... 20

Using the Right Data to Determine if High School Interventions Are Working to Prepare Students for College and Careers ........................................................................ 20

Resources for Working with Community-Based Organizations ............................................. 21

College Goal Sunday℠ ....................................................................................................... 21

Evaluation of Financial Aid U: Using VITA Volunteers to Assist with FAFSA Filing ........... 21

The Financial Aid Challenge: Successful Practices that Address the Underutilization of Financial Aid in Community Colleges ............................................................................ 21

The Role of Simplification and Information in College Decisions: Results from the H&R Block FAFSA Experiment ........................................................................................... 22

Title Index ........................................................................................................................... 23

Useful Organizations and Web Sites ..................................................................................... 27

The FAFSA Completion Project: An Annotated Bibliography 1

Introduction

There has been a recent and dramatic increase in high school students’ college aspirations,

but many obstacles continue to restrict access to college, especially for lower-income,

minority, and potential first-generation college students. Research demonstrates that

access to financial aid clearly influences students’ postsecondary decisions, and completion

of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form significantly increases

students’ likelihood of enrolling in a four-year college. Putting into place comprehensive

programs that support FAFSA completion across the country is one of several vital steps

toward making the college experience accessible and affordable for all students.

Researchers and schools on the front lines developing programs for FAFSA completion,

such as the Chicago Public School system, provide a rich source of accumulated knowledge

on best practices and proven programs.

This annotated bibliography links to free resources available online to support school

systems in their development of FAFSA completion programs and policies. The resources

are grouped into categories by audience: research, policy, and programmatic studies and

practical guides for principals and administrators; training and support materials,

publicity, handouts, troubleshooting guides, and background information for counselors;

and informational and supportive guides for students and their families. In addition,

because the successful implementation of a FAFSA completion program rests heavily on the

data-driven reform model of change, specific resources supporting a sound data program

are grouped in a separate category. Finally, resources on working with community-based

organizations are in the final collection of resources. These agencies can play a key role in

assisting schools with the FAFSA completion process. An alphabetical title index indicating

appropriate additional audiences for each document, and a list of web links to community-

based organizations and other resources round out this publication.

Please Note: The links in this document are designed to be “clickable.” Depending on

your connection and settings as well as the target website speed, you may experience

performance issues when clicking a link. If you experience difficulty opening any pages,

simply copy the link and paste it into your browser.

2

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The FAFSA Completion Project: An Annotated Bibliography 3

Resources for Principals and Administrators

Breaking the Affordability Barrier: How much of the college access problem is attributable to lack of information about financial aid?

Bridget Terry Long, National CrossTalk, December 2009.

Available: http://www.highereducation.org/crosstalk/ct1209/voices1209-btlong.shtml

(accessed January 10, 2011).

Reports of recent research demonstrate that pre-population of the FAFSA form with IRS

data and direct assistance completing the FAFSA have a substantial impact on the

likelihood of submitting an aid application.

Cashing in or Cashing Out: Tools for Measuring the Effectiveness & Outcomes of Financial Aid Events

Brianna Kennedy, Paz Oliverez, and William G. Tierney. Center for Higher Education Policy

Analysis (CHEPA), Rossier School of Education, University of Southern California, 2007.

Available: http://www.eric.ed.gov/PDFS/ED498732.pdf (accessed January 10, 2011).

The fact that several financial aid events take place neither guarantees that they are

well attended nor that they achieve their intended goal—to provide students and/or

families with information and assistance that will lead to the application for and

acquisition of financial aid. This report provides insight into the considerations that

individuals and organizations ought to make as they endeavor to provide financial aid

information and services to high school students and their families. Based on three

years of research at nine high schools in a large urban high school district, the authors

offer steps that groups can take to determine the success of their efforts.

Challenging the Myth: Rethinking the Role of School Counselors

The Education Trust, National Center for Transforming School Counseling, November 2009

(Brochure).

Available: http://www.edtrust.org/dc/publication/challenging-the-myth-rethinking-the-role-

of-school-counselors-brochure (accessed January 10, 2011).

This brochure disputes common myths about the role of school counselors and

provides a new vision for school counseling that can help close the student achievement

gap and ensure that every student graduates from high school ready for college or a

career.

4 Resources for Principals and Administrators

The Effectiveness of Financial Aid in Improving College Enrollment: Lessons for Policy

Bridget Terry Long, Harvard Graduate School of Education, NBER, and NCPR,

January 2008.

Available: http://gseacademic.harvard.edu/~longbr/Long_-_Effectiveness_of_Aid_-

_Lessons_for_Policy_(1-08).pdf (accessed January 10, 2011).

Years of research support the notion that financial aid can influence students’

postsecondary decisions, but questions remain about the best ways to design and

implement such programs and policies. This paper serves as a discussion of the

research literature on the effectiveness of financial aid with special attention to its

implications for policy.

A Gap in the Literature: The Influence of the Design, Operations, and Marketing of Student Aid Programs on College-Going Plans and Behaviors

Laura Perna. Journal of Financial Aid, 35, no. 1, 2005.

Available:

http://www.nasfaa.org/Advocacy/Research/Journal/subs/A_Gap_in_the_Literature__The_In

fluence_of_the_Design,_Operations,_and_Marketing_of_Student_Aid_Programs_on_College-

Going_Plans_and_Behaviors.aspx (accessed January 10, 2011).

This article describes what is known from prior research about the impact of student

financial aid program design, operations, and marketing on the formation of parents’

and children’s college-going aspirations, expectations, and plans, and the resulting

college-going behaviors of potential students. The review focuses on the experiences of

lower-income, minority, and potential first-generation college students.

Helping Students Navigate the Path to College: What High Schools Can Do

William Tierney, Thomas Bailey, Jill Constantine, Neal Finkelstein, Nicole Farmer Hurd. IES

Practice Guide/What Works Clearinghouse, U.S. Department of Education, September 2009.

Available: http://ies.ed.gov/ncee/wwc/pdf/practiceguides/higher_ed_pg_091509.pdf

(accessed January 10, 2011).

This guide offers specific recommendations and steps for carrying out the

recommendations for helping students attend college. Recommendations include

offering courses and curricula that prepare students for college-level work; using

assessment measures throughout high school so students have a sense of where they

stand in terms of college readiness; surrounding students with adults and peers who

support their college-going aspirations; engaging students in completing steps for

attending college; and increasing families’ financial aid awareness and helping students

apply for financial aid.

The FAFSA Completion Project: An Annotated Bibliography 5

Money on the Table: State Initiatives to Improve Financial Aid Participation

Heath Prince, Achieving the Dream Policy Brief, October 2006.

Available: http://www.jff.org/publications/education/money-table-state-initiatives-

improve-fi/279 (accessed January 10, 2011).

Increasing the numbers of students who participate in financial aid programs has

become a critical issue for many states. Reasons for the low rates of financial aid

completion vary from a lack of awareness among students, to the many and complex

types of aid available, to inadequate capacity at the institutional level for conducting

outreach to students and processing applications. This brief highlights the activities of

four states to address this issue including Connecticut, North Carolina, Texas, and

California.

From High School to the Future: Potholes on the Road to College

Melissa Roderick, Jenny Nagaoka, Vanessa Coca, and Eliza Moeller, Consortium on Chicago

School Research, University of Chicago, March 2008.

Available:

http://www.diversityweb.org/research_and_trends/research_evaluation_impact/student_le

arning_outcomes/documents/FromHighSchooltotheFuturePotholestoCollege.pdf

(accessed January 10, 2011).

Research shows a dramatic increase in high school students’ college aspirations. This

report tracks the postsecondary experiences of graduating Chicago Public School (CPS)

students and examines the relationship among high school preparation, support,

college choice, and postsecondary outcomes.

Findings:

Students who aspire to complete a four-year degree do not effectively participate in the college application process.

Attending a high school with a strong college-going culture shapes students’ participation in the college application process.

Filing a FAFSA and applying to multiple colleges shape students’ likelihood of being accepted to and enrolling in a four-year college.

Only about one-third of CPS students who aspire to complete a four-year degree enroll in a college that matches their qualifications.

Putting Money on the Table: Information, Financial Aid and Access to College

Center for Higher Education Policy Analysis, Rossier School of Education, University of

Southern California, 2009.

Available: http://www.eric.ed.gov/PDFS/ED499282.pdf (accessed January 10, 2011).

6 Resources for Principals and Administrators

This study investigates the divide between available aid and the impact of early

commitment aid programs. California, Nevada, and Kansas are used as case examples.

Findings:

Large disconnects exist for students who need aid and their understanding of what they need to do to access aid.

States can secure more aid when more students are successful in maintaining eligibility and completing the financial aid application process.

Implications for practice include:

The need to understand lives of students and families as they seek student aid

Attention to the inter-relationship of school, home, and other influences

The creation of a systematic, longitudinal framework for information about financial aid.

Telling the Story II. Developing a Tracking System in Chicago

Greg Darnieder and Kelly Sparks, Department of Postsecondary Education and Student

Development, Office of High School Programs, Chicago Public Schools; and Jenny Nagaoka,

The Consortium on Chicago School Research at the University of Chicago. (Undated .ppt)

Available: http://www.ndpc-n.org/par_advantage/resources/presentations-

developing_tracking_system_in_chicago.pdf (accessed January 10, 2011).

This presentation provides a review of the components of the CPS postsecondary

tracking system, identifies the questions that can be answered by the tracking system,

and connects these indicators to inform policy and practice.

Understanding the Role of Post-Secondary Coaches in High Schools

Lynne Haeffele, Illinois State University. Presentation from the 26th Annual Student

Financial Aid Research Network Conference (SFARN). (.ppt). Last modified June 2010.

Available: http://www.pellinstitute.org/files/SFARN_2009/Haeffele.ppt (accessed January

10, 2011).

This presentation provides a review of, and response to, the insights gleaned from

SFARN 2009. The issues include: students’ lack of firm plans to attend college, families’

reluctance to disclose incomes, FAFSA form complexity, overburdened school

counselors, students late in filing FAFSA, and difficulty of disseminating information

about FAFSA. The presentation also overviews key stumbling blocks to college access

including knowing how to go, preparation, knowledge and support, personnel

knowledge and support, financial preparation, and process logistics. The role of

postsecondary coaches is explained as a relatively new position that operates outside of

traditional teaching and guidance counseling to focus specifically on improving

students’ college readiness. An overview of the position of coach is provided.

The FAFSA Completion Project: An Annotated Bibliography 7

What Is Known About the Impact of Financial Aid? Implications for Policy

Bridget Terry Long, NCPR Working Paper, April 2009.

Available:

http://www.eric.ed.gov:80/ERICWebPortal/search/detailmini.jsp?_nfpb=true&_&ERICExtSea

rch_SearchValue_0=ED501555&ERICExtSearch_SearchType_0=no&accno=ED501555

(accessed January 10, 2011).

Years of research support the notion that financial aid can influence students’

postsecondary decisions, but questions remain about the best ways to design and

implement such programs and policies. This paper serves as a discussion of the

research literature on the effectiveness of financial aid with special attention to its

implications for policy.

What Matters for Staying On-Track and Graduating in Chicago Public Schools

Elaine Allensworth and John Q. Easton, The Consortium on Chicago School Research, 2007.

Available: http://ccsr.uchicago.edu/content/publications.php?pub_id=116 (accessed

January 10, 2011).

Building on earlier CCSR research of “on-track indicators” that demonstrated a

connection between failing freshman classes and dropping out, the authors found that a

number of freshman-year factors can be used to predict high school graduation. Critical

factors include grades and attendance, the latter of which is eight times more predictive

of course failure in the freshman year than test scores. The authors also examine how

school practices affect students’ grades, failure rates, and attendance. Students’ grades

and attendance are particularly better than expected in schools characterized by two

features—supportive relationships between teachers and students, and a perception

among students that the work they are doing in high school is preparing them for the

future. Summaries of this report are available for parents, students, and teachers.

8 Resources for Principals and Administrators

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The FAFSA Completion Project: An Annotated Bibliography 9

Resources for Counselors and Coaches

College Readiness for All Toolbox

Institute for Higher Education Policy, last modified 2009.

Available: http://toolbox.pathwaystocollege.net (accessed January 10, 2011).

This site provides a set of well-researched tools, lessons learned, and resources

designed for educators, guidance counselors, and outreach professionals to help create

a college-ready culture for all students by enhancing student expectations, achievement,

and access. The tool includes self-assessment and evaluation activities and helps

students and educators collaborate on postsecondary success including creating an

easy-to-use road map for program implementation. The tools can be used to create an

action plan, collect and analyze data to set goals for student college readiness, and

understand the process and steps needed to sustain effective change. It includes links to

hundreds of resources such as “Funding Education Beyond High School: The Guide to

Federal Student Aid,” by the U.S. Department of Education, Federal Student Aid.

Completing the FAFSA

Web site, Federal Student Aid, 2011–12.

Available: http://www.FederalStudentAid.ed.gov/completefafsa (accessed January 10,

2011).

This web site gives detailed instructions for completing the online or paper FAFSA

form.

EFC Calculator

College Board, 2011.

Available: http://apps.collegeboard.com/fincalc/efc_welcome.jsp (accessed January 10,

2011).

This 2011–12 School Year Expected Family Contribution (EFC) Calculator can be used

to estimate how much the student’s family will be expected to contribute to the cost of

college and gain insight into the student’s financial aid eligibility. The difference

between the total cost and the student’s EFC is considered the student’s “financial need”

and the amount of aid the student is eligible to receive.

10 Resources for Counselors and Coaches

English to Spanish Glossary of Financial Aid Terms

National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators (in collaboration with seven

other agencies), March 2010.

Available: http://www.tgslc.org/spanish/glossary (accessed January 10, 2011).

This is an online version of the English–Spanish Glossary of Student Financial Aid and

Postsecondary Education to assist the financial aid community and the general public in

locating the Spanish equivalent of English terms used in student financial aid and the

higher education arena.

FAFSA Form Online

Federal Student Aid, 2011

Available: http://www.fafsa.ed.gov (accessed January 10, 2011).

This is the actual online form including an explanation of the three-step application

process.

Federal Student Aid for Counselors

Web Portal, Federal Student Aid, 2010.

Available: http://www.fsa4counselors.ed.gov/PORTALSWebApp/cotw/main.jsp (accessed

January 10, 2011).

This web portal includes information for counselors on answering student questions

about eligibility, calculators and tools, applications, deadlines, planning a financial aid

night, and promotional materials and other publications related to financial aid support.

It also includes the Counselors and Mentors Handbook for 2011–12 in English and

Spanish. This guide is for those advising students about financial aid for postsecondary

education.

Financial Aid Applications: The Basics for Helping Students and Families

Web Guide, College Board, 2011.

Available: http://professionals.collegeboard.com/guidance/financial-aid/applications

(accessed January 10, 2011).

This web guide provides an overview of types of financial aid applications with links to

detailed information. It also includes timelines for applications.

The FAFSA Completion Project: An Annotated Bibliography 11

Financial Aid Estimator Tool – FAFSA4caster

Federal Student Aid, 2011.

Available: http://federalstudentaid.ed.gov/students.html (accessed January 10, 2011).

This recently redesigned tool provides students with an early estimate of their

eligibility for federal student financial assistance. Students considering furthering their

education beyond high school can use this tool to calculate their eligibility for federal

financial aid and reduce the time it will take to complete the FAFSA.

Financial Aid Night Presentation

National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators, last modified 2010.

Available: http://www.nasfaa.org/Marketing/Products/FANight/Financial_Aid_Night_

Presentation.aspx (accessed January 10, 2011).

This collection of documents contains materials for financial aid administrators and

high school counselors to use when conducting financial aid night presentations. The

resources on this page include a “how to” guide for planning and conducting a financial

aid night, the transcript and slide show for a presentation that provides basic

information for students and parents on applying for financial aid, and several handouts

for parents and students to help them through the financial aid process. The

presentation guide recommends that presenters provide audience members with

copies of the 2010–11 FAFSA on the Web (FOTW) Worksheet and the Student Aid

Program Summary Chart to use as references during the presentation.

Hosting Financial Aid Events

Web Guide, College Board, 2011.

Available: http://professionals.collegeboard.com/guidance/financial-aid/host (accessed

January 11, 2011).

This web guide provides information on key steps needed in organizing and hosting a

successful financial aid event.

I’m Going: College.gov PSA Resources

Federal Student Aid, 2009.

Available: http://federalstudentaid.ed.gov/psa2010/resources.html (accessed January 11,

2011).

These public service announcements include web banners, print, TV, radio, and DVDs

that are useful for sharing at financial aid or community outreach events for students,

parents, and caregivers.

12 Resources for Counselors and Coaches

PIN web site

Federal Student Aid, 2011.

Available: http://www.pin.ed.gov/PINWebApp/pinindex.jsp (accessed January 11, 2011).

This web site provides information on the Federal Student Aid PIN.

Special Populations: Tips for Completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)

National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators, updated 2010–11.

Available: http://www.collegegoaloregon.org/docs/FAFSAFosterTips%5B1%5D.pdf (accessed

January 11, 2011).

This handout lists questions on the FAFSA that may cause problems for special

populations, and explains how to properly answer these questions.

The FAFSA Completion Project: An Annotated Bibliography 13

Resources for Students and Families

College Preparation Checklist

Federal Student Aid, 2009.

Available: http://studentaid.ed.gov/PORTALSWebApp/students/english/checklist.jsp

(accessed January 11, 2011).

This guide provides students and parents with a first stop for information on academic

and financial preparation. The checklist includes:

A “to do” list for students and parents to help get ready for college

Basic information about federal student aid and money for college

Tips for filling out the FAFSA

College.gov

Federal Student Aid, undated.

Available: http://www.college.gov (accessed January 11, 2011).

This web site is designed to motivate high school students with inspirational stories

and information about planning, preparing, and paying for college.

Am I Dependent or Independent?

Federal Student Aid, 2011.

Available:

http://studentaid.ed.gov/students/attachments/siteresources/DependentorIndependent10-

11.pdf (accessed January 11, 2011).

This worksheet explains how to determine if information about parents is needed when

filling out the 2011–12 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

Do You Need Money for College? Federal Student Aid at a Glance 2011–12

Federal Student Aid, 2011–12.

Available:

http://studentaid.ed.gov/students/attachments/siteresources/doyouneedmoney.pdf

(accessed January 11, 2011).

This is a two-page student handout summarizing steps needed to receive financial aid,

including information about the different financial aid programs.

14 Resources for Students and Families

FAFSA on the Web Worksheet

Federal Student Aid, 2010–11.

Available: http://studentaid.ed.gov/PORTALSWebApp/students/english/fafsaworksheet.jsp

(accessed January 11, 2011).

The FAFSA on the Web Worksheet tells students what documents (e.g., tax forms)

students will need to refer to as they fill out the FAFSA, and it shows the FAFSA

questions so they can fill in answers in preparation for applying at

http://www.fafsa.gov. The worksheet is an optional tool: Students can go straight to the

FAFSA web site to apply if they prefer.

FinAid: The SmartStudent™ Guide to Financial Aid

Mark Kantrowitz, undated.

Available: http://www.finaid.org (accessed January 11, 2011).

This site provides free access to a comprehensive, annotated collection of information

about student financial aid.

Funding Education Beyond High School: The Guide to Federal Student Aid

Federal Student Aid, 2010–11.

Available: http://studentaid.ed.gov/students/publications/student_guide/index.html

(accessed January 11, 2011).

Aimed at high school students and their families, this guide provides a comprehensive

overview of student financial aid from the U.S. Department of Education. The guide

explains how the available programs work, including grants, loans, and work-study, and

how to apply for them. The guide includes detailed instructions on completing the

FAFSA form, getting a federal student aid PIN, using the FAFSA4caster and the

importance of the Student Aid Report. Page four of the guide provides a run-through of

the seven steps necessary to complete in order to secure student aid. Bulk orders of the

guide in English, Spanish, or Braille can be ordered by phone (1-800-394-7084).

A Guide for African-American Parents: How to Help Your Child Prepare for College and Career

The Education Trust, 2009.

Available:

http://www.edtrust.org/sites/edtrust.org/files/publications/files/AA%20Parent%20Guide(w

eb)_0.pdf (accessed January 11, 2011).

This guide is aimed at parents of African-American high school students. It covers the

importance of college and a career, ways to evaluate a high school for college-ready

The FAFSA Completion Project: An Annotated Bibliography 15

academic standards, special hurdles facing African-American students, and how to be

an effective advocate for your child.

A Guide for Hispanic Parents: How to Help Your Child Prepare for College and Career

The Education Trust, 2009.

Available: http://www.edtrust.org/dc/publication/a-guide-for-hispanic-parents-how-to-help-

your-child-prepare-for-college-and-career (accessed January 11, 2011).

This guide is aimed at parents of Hispanic high school students. It covers the

importance of college and a career, ways to evaluate a high school for college-ready

academic standards, special hurdles facing Hispanic students, and how to be an

effective advocate for your child.

It’s My Life: Postsecondary Education and Training

Casey Family Programs, 2006.

Available:

http://www.pathwaystocollege.net/collegeplanningresources/ViewBiblio.aspx?aid=2599

(accessed January 11, 2011).

This guide provides recommendations, strategies, and resources for adults helping

youth from low-income backgrounds plan and prepare for college. It includes detailed

information about college advising and support for students transitioning from foster

care.

Myths about Financial Aid

Federal Student Aid, 2006.

Available: http://studentaid.ed.gov/students/attachments/siteresources/Myths.pdf

(accessed January 11, 2011).

This is a one-page flyer for parents and students that disputes common myths and

worries about federal student aid and provides information on obtaining student aid.

Steps to Federal Student Aid

Online Handout, Federal Student Aid, 2010–11.

Available: http://studentaid.ed.gov/PORTALSWebApp/students/english/publications.jsp

(accessed January 11, 2011).

This handout explains the steps needed to apply for federal student aid. It is available in

English and Spanish.

16 Resources for Students and Families

Student Aid on the Web. FSA Portal

Federal Student Aid, 2010.

Available: http://studentaid.ed.gov/PORTALSWebApp/students/english/index.jsp (accessed

January 11, 2011).

Comprehensive portal for student aid including how to prepare for college, apply for

financial aid, and repay loans. Includes links to “My FSA,” which provides students and

families with an introduction to financial aid, information on setting up an account, a

financial aid and scholarship wizard, career finder, college savings calculator, and

college matching wizard.

What Information Do I Need When I Fill Out the FAFSA?

Online Handout, Federal Student Aid, 2010–11.

Available: http://studentaid.ed.gov/PORTALSWebApp/students/english/publications.jsp

(accessed January 11, 2011).

This handout explains what information is needed to fill out the FAFSA. It is available in

English and Spanish.

What Is a Federal Student Aid PIN and Why Do I Need One?

Online Handout, Federal Student Aid, 2010–11.

Available: http://studentaid.ed.gov/PORTALSWebApp/students/english/publications.jsp

(accessed January 11, 2011).

This handout explains the purpose of a PIN and how to get one. It is available in English

and Spanish.

Who Is My “Parent” When I Fill Out the FAFSA?

Federal Student Aid, 2011.

Available: http://studentaid.ed.gov/students/attachments/siteresources/WhoIsParent10-

11.pdf (accessed January 11, 2011).

This worksheet explains how and when to provide information about parents on the

FAFSA form.

The FAFSA Completion Project: An Annotated Bibliography 17

Resources for Working with Data

Building Student-Level Longitudinal Data Systems: Lessons Learned from Four States

Nancy J. Smith and Jane Armstrong for the Data Quality Campaign/National Center for

Educational Accountability and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, 2006.

Available: http://www.dataqualitycampaign.org/files/State_Specific-

2006_Site_Visit_Synopsis.pdf (accessed January 11, 2011).

This report examines four diverse, leading states involved in building longitudinal

student data systems. The goal was to better understand how these states went about

designing their data systems, what it cost to create them, what immediate and tangible

results were achieved, and what could be shared with other states following in their

footsteps. The four states were Florida, Utah, Virginia, and Wisconsin.

Creating a Longitudinal Data System

Data Quality Campaign, 2006.

Available: http://www.dataqualitycampaign.org/files/Publications-

Creating_Longitudinal_Data_System.pdf (accessed January 11, 2011).

This White Paper explains the ten essential elements and policy benefits of state

longitudinal data. It gives an overview of where states are in terms of collecting data

needed to answer questions about which schools produce the strongest academic

growth for their students, what achievement levels in middle school indicate that a

student is on track to succeed, how to calculate the state’s graduation rate, what high

school performance indicators are the best predictors of students’ success in college or

the workplace, what percentage of high school graduates take remedial courses in

college, and what teacher preparation programs produce the graduates whose students

have the strongest academic growth. Updates on state data are available at

http://www.dataqualitycampaign.org.

Data-Driven High School Reform: The Breaking Ranks Model

Mary Ann Lachat. Northeast and Islands Regional Educational Laboratory, The Education

Alliance at Brown University, 2001.

Available: http://www.alliance.brown.edu/pubs/hischlrfm/datdrv_hsrfm.pdf (accessed

January 11, 2011).

This report was written for school administrators, teachers, staff developers, and public

school advocates seeking greater understanding of how to create school cultures that

continuously use data to improve student learning and achievement. The report

includes a synthesis of the research literature on data-driven school improvement,

18 Resources for Working with Data

along with illustrative summaries of how schools are using data to support systemic

high school reform. The authors highlight the capacities essential to data-driven school

reform, how schools can build these capacities, what has been learned about

overcoming barriers to data use, and examples of strategies that promote the use of

data for improvement.

Every Student Counted: Using Longitudinal Data Systems to Calculate the National Governors Association’s High School Graduation Rate and Improve Student Success

Nancy J. Smith and Jane Armstrong, Data Quality Campaign/National Center for Educational

Accountability and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, 2007.

Available: http://www.dataqualitycampaign.org/files/Publications-Every_Student_Counted-

073107.pdf (accessed January 11, 2011).

The NGA graduation rate defines a single calculation to be used in all states.

Longitudinal data systems provide the means to create this more accurate calculation

because they account for each student as he or she progresses through high school; this

same information system also enables educators to help all students achieve success.

This report provides information about the benefits of using a longitudinal graduate

rate and information on state longitudinal data systems, essential for calculating the

NGA graduation rate.

Identifying Potential Dropouts: Key Lessons for Building an Early Warning Data System: A Dual Agenda of High Standards and High Graduation Rates

Craig Jerald, Staying the Course: High Standards and Improved Graduation Rates, a joint

project of Achieve and Jobs for the Future, 2006.

Available: http://www.achieve.org/files/FINAL-dropouts_0.pdf (accessed January 11, 2011).

The goal of this report is to give policymakers with an overview of research about the

dropout problem and the best strategies for building an early warning data system that

can signal which students and schools are most in need of interventions. In addition,

this report demonstrates that a large school system that invests in better data systems

to support dropout prevention can obtain significantly better results for less money.

Improving Graduation Rates: Data-Driven Dropout Prevention

Policy Brief. Achieve, Inc. (undated).

Available: http://achieve.org/files/DataDrivenDropoutPreventionPolicy.pdf (accessed

January 11, 2011).

Current research demonstrates that education systems can keep more students in

school and on track to graduate in a cost effective way by using data effectively.

Research on school systems in several large cities, including Chicago; demonstrate the

power of analyzing data on individual students over time to develop accurate

The FAFSA Completion Project: An Annotated Bibliography 19

predictors for dropping out. Analyzing student data over time is inexpensive and can be

conducted even in systems that do not have a sophisticated electronic data system. Data

can be easily gathered from information in the files that all school systems maintain on

their students and recent graduates.

It’s Not Just How You Analyze the Data, It's How You Use It: The Practical Implementation of the Chicago Model

Chandra Taylor Smith, The Pell Institute, and Kelly Sparks, Chicago Public Schools.

Presentation from the 26th Annual Student Financial Aid Research Network Conference

(.ppt). Last modified June 2009.

Available: http://www.pellinstitute.org/files/SFARN_2009/Taylor_Smith.ppt (accessed

January 11, 2011).

This presentation explains what data was used in the Chicago postsecondary access

model including FAFSA data, transcript data, the senior exit questionnaire, college

enrollment data, IPEDS Data, Employment data, the Freshmen transition questionnaire,

and Career Exploration data. The presentation covers how data is used to achieve

outcomes including regular reporting, examining trends, and drilling down to identify

targeted areas for program delivery. FAFSA completion data is used as a case study

because FAFSA completion has been shown to increase the likelihood of students

enrolling in college. Screen shots of FAFSA tracking systems and completion rates are

included.

Maximizing the Power of Education Data while Ensuring Compliance with Federal Student Privacy Laws: A Guide for State Policymakers

Data Quality Campaign, 2006.

Available: http://www.dataqualitycampaign.org/files/Publications-

FERPA_A_Guide_for_State_Policymakers.PDF (accessed January 11, 2011).

This report provides information on how the new roles for stated education agencies

(SEAs) and their longitudinal data systems in data collection and sharing can be aligned

with Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA). This guide assists states as

they build and use state longitudinal data systems in ways that comply with FERPA and

protect the privacy rights of students and their parents.

Tapping into the Power of Longitudinal Data: A Guide for School Leaders

Data Quality Campaign and the National Association of Secondary School Principals, 2008.

Available: http://www.dataqualitycampaign.org/files/publications-

tapping_into_the_power_of_longitudinal_data-a_guide_for_school_leaders-010108.pdf

(accessed January 11, 2011).

20 Resources for Working with Data

This is part of a series of guides that demonstrate the power of longitudinal data for

specific audiences. To ensure relevance to teachers and principals, the DQC worked

with the National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP) to identify the

most pressing questions facing school leaders today. State longitudinal data systems

can present different levels of information for different audiences, so this paper

explores how teachers and principals throughout the P–12 continuum use data to

improve student outcomes.

This School Works for Me: A Guide for Data Analysts

Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, January 2010.

Available: http://www.gatesfoundation.org/united-states/Documents/school-works-for-me-

analyst-guide.pdf (accessed January 11, 2011).

This guide for data analysts provides lessons learned from a handful of large school

districts about critical analytics that can be useful in making decisions about school

improvement. The guide includes descriptions of data needed, as well as the analyses

required to identify students at-risk of dropping out, determine how schools compare

in meeting the needs of their students, and calculate the cost of various school and

program options. Links to supplements are contained in the guide.

Using the Right Data to Determine if High School Interventions Are Working to Prepare Students for College and Careers

Chrys Dougherty, Ph.D., National Center for Educational Achievement, January 2010.

Available: http://www.betterhighschools.org/docs/NCEA_CollegeCareerReadiness.pdf

(accessed January 11, 2011).

This report is designed to guide educators in collecting and analyzing valuable student

achievement data that can help them determine if and how high school interventions

for underprepared students are working effectively to prepare them for college and

careers.

The FAFSA Completion Project: An Annotated Bibliography 21

Resources for Working with Community-Based Organizations

College Goal Sunday℠

Web Guide, YMCA, 2011.

Available: http://www.collegegoalsundayusa.org (accessed January 11, 2011).

College Goal Sunday is a one-day event held in most states at which students and

families can receive free, onsite professional help with completing the FAFSA. This

guide provides a list of information needed to complete the form, locations to get help,

calendar of events, FAQs, and other resources.

Evaluation of Financial Aid U: Using VITA Volunteers to Assist with FAFSA Filing

Ellen Frishberg, JBL Associates. Presentation from the 26th Annual Student Financial Aid

Research Network Conference. Last modified June 2010.

Available: http://www.pellinstitute.org/files/SFARN_2010/SFARN_2010_JBL_Frishberg.ppt

(accessed January 11, 2011).

The goal of Financial Aid U is to integrate free community tax preparation with FAFSA

filing. VITA centers in Illinois serve families with incomes of less than $50,000. FAFSA

technical trainings were provided using the Illinois Financial Aid Assistance

Commission. Under the auspices of the National Community Tax Coalition this program

has spread to other states. The presentation provides an overview of the key outcomes

of the project: who did Financial Aid U outreach, how effective was the outreach in

terms of client enrollment, knowledge of FAFSA, longitudinal outcomes, and coach

influence. The methodology for evaluated the program is shared as well as client

demographics, outreach success, results, and evaluation of service delivery.

Recommendations are provided to improve the service.

The Financial Aid Challenge: Successful Practices that Address the Underutilization of Financial Aid in Community Colleges

The College Board and the American Association of Community Colleges, Washington D.C.,

May 2010.

Available:

http://advocacy.collegeboard.org/sites/default/files/10b_1790_FAFSA_Exec_Report_WEB_1

00517.pdf (accessed January 11, 2011).

This publication discusses the role of community colleges in the financial aid process

including how community college financial aid staff can partner with high school

counselors to increase utilization of financial aid by students.

22 Resources for Working with Community-Based Organizations

The Role of Simplification and Information in College Decisions: Results from the H&R Block FAFSA Experiment

Eric P. Bettinger, Bridget Terry Long, Philip Oreopoulos, and Lisa Sanbonmatsu, An NBER

Working Paper, September 2009.

Available: http://www.nber.org/papers/w15361 (accessed January 11, 2011).

H&R Block tax professionals helped low- to moderate-income families complete the

FAFSA. Families were then given an estimate of their eligibility for aid as well as

information about local postsecondary options. A second randomly chosen group of

individuals received only personalized aid eligibility information but did not receive

help completing the FAFSA. Comparing the outcomes of participants in the treatment

groups to a control group, the analysis suggests that individuals who received

assistance with the FAFSA and information about aid were substantially more likely to

submit the aid application, enroll in college the following fall, and receive more financial

aid.

The FAFSA Completion Project: An Annotated Bibliography 23

Title Index

Table of Titles and Suggested Audience—Administrator, Counselor, or Student/Family

Title Admin Counselor Student/

Family

A Gap in the Literature: The Influence of the Design, Operations, and Marketing of Student Aid Programs on College-Going Plans and Behaviors

X X

A Guide for African-American Parents: How to Help Your Child Prepare for College and Career

X X

A Guide for Hispanic Parents: How to Help Your Child Prepare for College and Career

X X

Am I Dependent or Independent?

X X

Breaking the Affordability Barrier: How Much of the College Access Problem Is Attributable to Lack of Information About Financial Aid?

X

Building Student-Level Longitudinal Data Systems: Lessons Learned from Four States

X

Cashing in or Cashing Out: Tools for Measuring the Effectiveness & Outcomes of Financial Aid Events

X X

Challenging the Myth: Rethinking the Role of School Counselors

X X

College Goal Sunday

X X X

College Preparation Checklist

X X

College Readiness for All Toolbox

X X

College.gov

X X

Completing the FAFSA

X X

Creating a Longitudinal Data System

X

Data-Driven High School Reform: The Breaking Ranks Model

X

Do You Need Money for College? Federal Student Aid at a Glance

X X

24 Title Index

Title Admin Counselor Student/

Family

EFC Calculator

X X

English to Spanish Glossary of Financial Aid Terms

X X

Evaluation of Financial Aid U: Using VITA Volunteers to Assist with FAFSA Filing

X X

Every Student Counted: Using Longitudinal Data Systems to Calculate the National Governors Association’s High School Graduation Rate and Improve Student Success

X

FAFSA Form Online

X X

FAFSA on the Web Worksheet

X X

Federal Student Aid for Counselors

X

FinAid: The SmartStudent™ Guide to Financial Aid

X X

Financial Aid Applications: The Basics for Helping Students and Families

X

Financial Aid Estimator Tool – FAFSA4caster.

X X

Financial Aid Night Presentation

X X

Funding Education Beyond High School: The Guide to Federal Student Aid

X X X

Helping Students Navigate the Path to College: What High Schools Can Do

X

Hosting Financial Aid Events

X X

Identifying Potential Dropouts: Key Lessons for Building an Early Warning Data System: A Dual Agenda of High Standards and High

Graduation Rates

X

I’m Going: College.gov PSA Resources

X X

Improving Graduation Rates: Data-Driven Dropout Prevention

X X

It's Not Just How You Analyze the Data, It's How You Use It: The Practical Implementation of the Chicago Model

X X

It’s My Life: Postsecondary Education and Training

X X

The FAFSA Completion Project: An Annotated Bibliography 25

Title Admin Counselor Student/

Family

Maximizing the Power of Education Data while Ensuring Compliance with Federal Student Privacy Laws: A Guide for State Policymakers

X

Money on the Table: State Initiatives to Improve Financial Aid Participation

X

Myths about Financial Aid

X X

PIN web site

X X

From High School to the Future: Potholes on the Road to College X X

Putting Money on the Table: Information, Financial Aid and Access to College

X X

Special Populations: Tips for Completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)

X X

Steps to Federal Student Aid

X X

Student Aid on the Web. FSA Portal

X X

Telling the Story II. Developing a Tracking System in Chicago

X

The Effectiveness of Financial Aid in Improving College Enrollment: Lessons for Policy

X

The Financial Aid Challenge: Successful Practices that Address the Underutilization of Financial Aid in Community Colleges

X X

The Power of Longitudinal Data: A Guide for School Leaders

X

The Role of Simplification and Information in College Decisions: Results from the H&R Block FAFSA Experiment

X

This School Works for Me: A Guide for Data Analysts

X

Understanding the Role of Post-Secondary Coaches in High Schools

X

Using the Right Data to Determine if High School Interventions Are Working to Prepare Students for College and Careers

X X

What Information Do I Need When I Fill Out the FAFSA?

X X

26 Title Index

Title Admin Counselor Student/

Family

What Is a Federal Student Aid PIN and Why Do I Need One?

X X

What Is Known About the Impact of Financial Aid? Implications for Policy

X

Who Is My “Parent” When I Fill Out the FAFSA?

X X

The FAFSA Completion Project: An Annotated Bibliography 27

Useful Organizations and Web Sites

Academy for Education Development (AED) http://www.aed.org

Advancement Via Individual Determination (AVID) http://www.pac.dodea.edu/edservices/EducationPrograms/AVID.htm

Alliance for Excellent Education http://www.all4ed.org/publication_material

America’s Promise Alliance http://www.americaspromise.org

American Association for Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers http://www.aacrao.org

American Association of Community Colleges (AACC) http://www.aacc.nche.edu

American School Counselor Association (ASCA) http://www.schoolcounselor.org

California Dropout Research Project http://www.cdrp.ucsb.edu/dropouts/about.htm

Casey Family Programs http://www.casey.org

Center for Education Policy Research at Harvard University http://www.gse.harvard.edu/~pfpie/index.php/sdp/strategic-data-project-the-vision

Center for Higher Education Policy Analysis http://www.usc.edu/dept/chepa

Center for Student Opportunity (CSO) http://www.csopportunity.org

College Board http://www.collegeboard.com

College Goal Sunday http://www.collegegoalsundayusa.org

Consortium on Chicago School Research, University of Chicago http://ccsr.uchicago.edu

Council for Opportunity in Education (COE) http://www.coenet.us

Education Trust http://www.edtrust.org/dc/resources/publications

Gateway to College National Network http://www.gatewaytocollege.org

GEAR UP See specific state programs

28 Useful Organizations and Web Sites

Institute for Higher Education Policy http://www.ihep.org

National Association for College Admission Counseling (NACAC) http://www.nacacnet.org

National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators http://www.nasfaa.org

National Center for Education Evaluation and Regional Assistance http://ies.ed.gov/ncee

National Center for School Engagement http://www.truancyprevention.org

National College Access Network (NCAN) http://www.collegeaccess.org

National Community Tax Coalition http://tax-coalition.org/our-coalition

National Dropout Prevention Center Network http://www.dropoutprevention.org/home

National Education Association http://www.nea.org

National Governors Association for Best Practices http://www.nga.org/portal/site/nga

National High School Center http://www.betterhighschools.org

National Office for School Counselor Advocacy (NOSCA) http://www.collegeboard.org

National Student Clearinghouse Pilot http://www.studentclearinghouse.org

Pathways to College Network http://www.pathwaystocollege.net

Regional Educational Laboratories See individual labs

Student Aid on the Web http://studentaid.ed.gov

Trio Program Locator http://www.fsa4counselors.ed.gov/clcf/TRIOPrograms.html

U.S. Department of Education Institute of Education Sciences, What Works Clearinghouse http://ies.ed.gov

U.S. Department of Education, Advisory Committee on Student Financial Aid Assistance http://www2.ed.gov/about/bdscomm/list/acsfa/edlite-index.html

U.S. Department of Education, National Center for Education Statistics http://nces.ed.gov

U.S. Department of Education, Office of Planning, Evaluation and Policy Development http://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/opepd/ppss/reports.html