The problem of the study was to determine if there were differences in student retention related to financial aid packaging for Troy State University students classified as freshmen during the fall quarter of 1974-75. Data were collected from students' permanent record files maintained by the Troy State University. Statistical analyses of the study were performed using a census of 271 freshmen financial recipients to form one group and a systematic random sample of 271 nonrecipients of financial aid to form the second group. / The first group was used for testing the study intragroup interactions of financial aid packaging and personal characteristics as they related to retention. The second group was used to compare retention differences between recipients and nonrecipients of financial aid. / Stepwise multiple regression analysis was the basic statistical approach utilized to provide descriptive information, basic correlational data, regression analysis data, and regression equations. No significant statistical differences were found in retention at the p < .05 level between recipients and nonrecipients of financial aid using persistence to graduation as the retention criterion. Significant statistical differences were found in retention using length of time a student remained enrolled at the university, at the p < .05 level, between recipients and nonrecipients of financial aid. The interaction of the type of financial aid package awarded to a student and the student's academic ability, sex, age, ethnic origin, or family income did not explain a significant proportion of the variance in student retention at the p < .05 level. / It was concluded that students' educational opportunity is limited only by their ability to meet reasonable academic standards. Financial aid does permit a student to persist in college, but it could not be stated that persistence is the result of any particular type of financial aid package. The amount of award was the most important financial aid factor in retention. Grants have a positive effect on persistence. Work-study, as a form of financial aid, is less desirable than grants. Loans appear to be negatively related to persistence. It appears that grants should form the major proportion of any type of financial aid package. If additional financial aid is required, it would be preferable to consider work-study before loans. / The type of financial aid package is important in retention, but the primary reasons for its importance were beyond the scope of the study. Further research is needed with large regional data bases to measure positive retention effects, if there are positive effects. A need exists to isolate what student characteristics or forces substantially explain retention in relationship to financial aid. A study of the relationship between retention and the Basic Educational Opportunity Grant Program and College Work Study Program is especially warranted. / Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 41-03, Section: A, page: 0960. / Thesis (Ph.D.)--The Florida State University, 1980.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:fsu.edu/oai:fsu.digital.flvc.org:fsu_74106 |
| Contributors | KRIEGER, THOMAS BERT., The Florida State University |
| Source Sets | Florida State University |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Text |
| Format | 145 p. |
| Rights | On campus use only. |
| Relation | Dissertation Abstracts International |
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