Challenges to College Access
and Financial Aid
A Preliminary View of the
CHEPA Study High Schools
Mari Luna De La Rosa, Ph.D.
Context of the Issue
• Research indicates that students
need basic information about college
options and financial aid.
Context of the Issue
• Low-SES students and families of
color are the least likely to receive
this information.
Purpose of the
CHEPA Study
• To determine how low-income
students and families understand
college access and financial aid.
Description of the Study
• 8 low-income high schools in the Los
Angeles County area.
• Interview junior and senior students.
• Focus groups for parents and families.
• Interview college counselors and
teachers.
• Attend and observe college and
financial aid activities.
Description of the
CHEPA Study High Schools
• Enrollment ranges from 1,000 to 5, 000
students.
• Number of teachers (both credentialed and
uncredentialed) range from 38 to 168.
• Number of 12th graders range from 181 to 786.
• Number of college counselors at each school: 1.
• Number of college preparation programs on
each campus range from 2 to 7.
College-Going Data, 2002-03
Source: CA Dept. of Education and APPRIS.org
4000
3,795
3,793
3000
2,090
2000
1,848
1,200
1000
437
380
251
C
C
SU
to
g
oi
n
G
g
oi
n
G
G
oi
n
g
to
to
C
U
C
-G
et
M
du
ra
G
A
at
es
00
10
er
ov
Sc
or
in
g
Te
T
SA
12
th
st
G
ra
Ta
de
rs
ke
rs
0
College-Going Data by Race/ethnicity, 2002-03
American Indian
Asian American/PI
Latino/a
African American
White
3000
2500
2,152 (57%)
2,035 (54%)
2000
1500
1,039 (27%)
973 (26%)
1000
976 (47%)
651 (31%)
500
276 (13%)
303 (8%)
274 (7%)
0
392 (10%)
383 (10%)
13 (0%)
Grade 12
12 (0%)
Graduates
180 (9%)
7 (0%)
Completed A-G
SAT Test Takers by Race/ethnicity, 2002-03 (Counts and %)
American Indian
Asian American/PI
Latino/a
African American
White
Unknown
700
616 (33%)
N=1,848
600
495 (27%)
500
426 (23%)
400
300
209 (11%)
200
96 (5%)
100
6 (0%)
0
Average SAT Score by Race/ethnicity, 2002-03
American Indian
Asian American/PI
Latino/a
African American
1200
1041
1000
941
795
800
600
400
200
0
Test results
not available
for American
Indian
students.
774
White
Implications for Policy
• Enhance the understanding of the
college-going culture.
• Increase the number of students
preparing for college (i.e., A-G courses,
SAT exams.)
• Target information on college options
and financial aid.
Contact Information
Mari Luna De La Rosa, Ph.D.
Postdoctoral Research Associate
m.lunadelarosa@usc.edu
(213) 821-2131