A Path to College Completion for Disadvantaged Students

A college education can provide a path out of poverty, but low-income students face many obstacles along the way. Many face difficulty selecting the best college for them, and some have trouble navigating financial aid options. While overall college graduation rates are rising, the gap between the top and bottom income groups has widened considerably over the past four decades. This article reviews research on policies that could help increase college completion for low-income students, such as interventions to increase college preparedness and providing on-campus support to help students stay on track and eventually graduate.