Abstract
One of the biggest barriers to accessing higher education is financing the rising costs of tuition and
student fees. Compounding this problem is the reality that not all college students apply for financial aid
by completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) each year. In the 2007-2008
academic year, nationally 41 percent of students did not apply for financial aid, even though it is likely
that at least a quarter of those students are low-income and would have been eligible for Pell grants
(Kantrowitz, 2009). Because higher education benefits both individuals and society (Baum & Ma,
2007), there is much at stake when it comes to the access and affordability of college. Boosting the
financial aid opportunities for students by increasing the number of students who apply for financial aid
is a critical measure that can be taken to increase the access and affordability of higher education.