Student Athlete Retention and Financial Aid

Abstract

This study assesses the effectiveness of financial aid combinations of the Oklahoma Higher Education Learning Access Program (OHLAP) and the two most popular federal financial aid programs, Pell grants and Stafford loans, in predicting persistence among intercollegiate athletes at postsecondary institutions in Oklahoma, with special attention to minority groups. The evidence in this study suggests that various financial aid packages impact student athlete retention differently by class level, income, and race/ethnicity. Whereas White student athletes benefit the most from financial aid packages, the likelihood of increased retention for low-income minority student athletes increases with financial aid in the form of grants. In addition, the OHLAP program is very effective in promoting retention among student athletes in Oklahoma when combined with Pell grants or Stafford loans. In sum, based on the results studying student athletes in Oklahoma, it is clear that athlete student persistence is significantly influenced by financial aid on top of athletic scholarships.