Reasons Students Do Not Complete the Financial Aid Process and Resources Needed

The purpose of this qualitative descriptive study was to describe reasons Federal Pell Grant-eligible community college students in California do not complete the financial aid process after submitting the FAFSA and the resources they need to complete the process. The conceptual framework of this study was Perna's (2006) multi-layered student choice model. The two research questions addressed the reasons Federal Pell Grant-eligible community college students describe for not completing the financial aid process after submitting the FAFSA and the resources needed to complete the financial aid process. A criterion-based, purposeful sampling approach was used to select students from one California community college district. Semi-structured individual Zoom interviews were conducted with 18 students and 50 participants responded to the online questionnaire. Data collected were analyzed guided by Braun and Clarke's six steps of thematic analysis. Six themes emerged from the data analysis: (a) lack of communication and understanding, (b) lack of direct support and follow-up and (c) personal issues are reasons students describe for not completing the financial aid process, while (d) communication and financial aid training, (e) provide direct support to students using multiple mediums and (f) removing requirements barriers are resources students describe needing to complete the financial aid process. Results illustrated that importance of communication, direct support, and financial aid training to increase student understanding of the financial aid process. The conclusion was that students need information communicated to them: actionable steps accompanied by direct support for completing the financial aid process. [The dissertation citations contained here are published with the permission of ProQuest LLC. Further reproduction is prohibited without permission. Copies of dissertations may be obtained by Telephone (800) 1-800-521-0600. Web page: http://www.proquest.com/en-US/products/dissertations/individuals.shtml.]