Abstract

To support rural postsecondary students' college access and completion, researchers, policy makers, and educators need a more comprehensive understanding of their demographic characteristics and fi nancial needs, especially compared to nonrural students. Previous rural-nonrural analyses have not disaggregated students by degree type (bachelor's, associate's, or certifi cate/diploma). Accordingly, this article analyzes the demographic, fi nancial, and educational characteristics of Pennsylvania postsecondary students; identifi es rural-nonrural diff erences among students pursuing the same type of degree; and examines the distinctive needs and challenges of rural postsecondary students. The primary data source is the 2010-11 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA, n = 610,925 Pennsylvania applicants), supplemented by interviews with two policy experts and six fi nancial aid administrators at rural postsecondary institutions in Pennsylvania. Students from rural counties were underrepresented among FAFSA applicants. Salient geographic diff erences included the type of institution students planned to attend, type of secondary diploma, marital status, age, adult learner status, parental education, dislocated worker status, family income, poverty, and expected family contribution. The fi ndings suggest that in Pennsylvania, geographic location structures who pursues higher education and applies for the FAFSA, their fi nancial circumstances, and the types of institutions they select.

How to Cite:

Prins, E. & Kassab, C., (2017) “Rural/Non-Rural Differences Among Pennsylvania FAFSA Applicants Pursuing the Same Type of Postsecondary Degree”, Journal of Research in Rural Education 32(7), 1–16.

Rights: Copyright