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Latino students in Texas make informed, pragmatic choices to afford college, often shaped by state policy and institutional practice, says a new brief from Excelencia in Education.
Among the study’s insights into college affordability:
- Students prioritize financial stability and seek debt-free solutions, often opting for scholarships/grants and work-study over loans. While administrators view loans as strategic tools, students remain loan-averse due to concerns about debt.
- Student engagement across departments is transformative for students. Both students and institutional leaders agree on the importance of financial aid, but students find the most valuable information about scholarships and financial aid through academic departments rather than institutional outreach.
- Basic needs are crucial. Non-tuition costs like housing, food, and transportation are significant barriers, with students often foregoing paying for one over the other.
- The recent FAFSA simplification brought significant delays for students, families, and practitioners. Texas policies reflect these issues, as the state balances increasing costs with a commitment to keeping student debt manageable, though challenges remain in funding equity and affordability.
- Students recommend that institutions provide more affordable options, such as income-based scholarships and flexible payment plans, alongside clearer communication and targeted outreach. They also want schools to offer more affordable housing, dining, and parking, while increasing staffing in key departments like financial aid to meet basic needs.
- Presidents and administrators recommend that state and federal policy cover tuition for students from families earning under $100,000 and expand promise programs and require financial education for graduation and promote the value of diverse postsecondary degrees.