Abstract (300 words maximum)
The FAFSA has introduced what was initially seen as a beneficial policy aimed at improving students' access to financial aid. However, the plan has backfired, making it increasingly difficult for students to file their FAFSA applications. At the same time, the Supreme Court's 2023 decision to ban Affirmative Action has removed race as a factor in college admissions, further complicating access to higher education for historically disadvantaged groups. This project investigates key questions related to these developments: “How do the removal of Affirmative Action and the challenges associated with FAFSA affect the experiences of multi-marginalized undergraduate students? In what ways do these issues alter their educational and career trajectories, and how do they perceive the equity of financial aid policies without race-conscious admissions?” To gain insight into this situation, we systematically searched 15 articles using Google Scholar and other academic databases like the KSU library system with keywords such as “Affirmative Action Ban,” “FAFSA Glitch,” and “Marginalized Students.” Our findings indicate that many students are disenrolling from school or certain undergraduate majors due to the barriers created by these new laws. Our preliminary findings conclude these changes have a significant impact on those students, making them feel less welcomed in their pursuit of higher education. By identifying the systemic barriers created by these policy shifts, this research aims to inform higher education institutions and policymakers about the unintended consequences of these changes. Our overall goal is to bring awareness about the impact students are navigating since the shift in admission policy ensuring financial aid, admission and retention policies provide equitable access to them.
Academic department under which the project should be listed
BCOE - Educational Leadership
Primary Investigator (PI) Name
Debalina Maitra
Affirmative Action Ban and FAFSA Delay Impact on Multi-Marginalized Students
The FAFSA has introduced what was initially seen as a beneficial policy aimed at improving students' access to financial aid. However, the plan has backfired, making it increasingly difficult for students to file their FAFSA applications. At the same time, the Supreme Court's 2023 decision to ban Affirmative Action has removed race as a factor in college admissions, further complicating access to higher education for historically disadvantaged groups. This project investigates key questions related to these developments: “How do the removal of Affirmative Action and the challenges associated with FAFSA affect the experiences of multi-marginalized undergraduate students? In what ways do these issues alter their educational and career trajectories, and how do they perceive the equity of financial aid policies without race-conscious admissions?” To gain insight into this situation, we systematically searched 15 articles using Google Scholar and other academic databases like the KSU library system with keywords such as “Affirmative Action Ban,” “FAFSA Glitch,” and “Marginalized Students.” Our findings indicate that many students are disenrolling from school or certain undergraduate majors due to the barriers created by these new laws. Our preliminary findings conclude these changes have a significant impact on those students, making them feel less welcomed in their pursuit of higher education. By identifying the systemic barriers created by these policy shifts, this research aims to inform higher education institutions and policymakers about the unintended consequences of these changes. Our overall goal is to bring awareness about the impact students are navigating since the shift in admission policy ensuring financial aid, admission and retention policies provide equitable access to them.