Computers- “engines of inequality?”

Class Barriers – Graphical Reports

By: Emily Hennes, WS 445

A Study on the article “Low Income Urban High School

Students’ Use of the Internet to Access

Financial Aid”

Low income students do not have supportive environments in regard to finding financial aid services/tools on the web

On line financial aid services speed up application process---give students more time than “traditional” method of application-however, access to online services is limited for low-income students

Socioeconomic status determines (whether or not) many students get access to online financial aid tools

Culture plays a role in gaining or not gaining financial aid information Poor access to web is causing real problems Federal financial aid sites are easier to navigate than individual institution sites are Students become confused as a result of misinformation and poor advising

Gee, it’s great to have a computer and web access

at home! I wonder what I

would do without it…?

Advantages of internet application

Decrease in application mistakesExpedites the review of applicationSave on postage/ materials and

processing costs (government and postsecondary institutions) money can in turn increase financial aid savings

Gives students more time to make decisions on post- high school education

Socioeconomic status

Low-income students rely on internet/computer access at school-however, many computers at low-income schools do not function (staff is not educated on how to use them, etc.)

Many low income students do not have computers and or internet access at home

The web is an important tool in gaining efficient financial aid info.

!

Culture as a factor

Students growing up in a schooling environment that does not emphasize college education have limitations-less likely college bound

If the advisor promotes paper based FAFSAs, the students will be less likely to fill them out online

Studies often miss the unique needs/challenges low-income students are exposed to

Poor access the internet is causing real problems

One student claimed that the computers at school freeze up, so she has to check certain sites at home-this can be a real problem if the student doesn’t have a computer/access to the web at home!

This makes it hard for students to get assignments in on a timely manner/meet deadlines.

.

! Ugh… I can’t believe I

have to go home to look

this up! Crappy

connection! %%#&#&!

Federal financial aid sites are easier to navigate than individual institution ones are

Four year college financial aid sites are more easily navigated than two year ones are

A lot of the time, community college financial aid has to be filled out at the school and not online-if the student doesn’t have a car or cannot afford to travel to the school to fill out an application, he/she might forego the task

This shows an apparent, classist problem in regards to accessing financial aid tools and utilizing them on the web.

…Low income students become confused

Students do not get adequate training on how to fill out online financial aid forms

Many students take months and multiple visits to the financial aid site in order to finally complete the application

Students go to peers, peer counselors, and college counselors who are often misinformed

Yikes!Ugh! You mean I need a

PIN number?!

…Low income students become confused cont.

The steps aren’t easy to follow, and if a student doesn’t have a good advisor, and a schooling culture that enhances his/her knowledge on how to apply for financial aid, he/she is at a disadvantage.

Conclusion

Students must have access to good advisors, and an environment conducive to gaining knowledge about what to do beyond the application process

Staff at low income schools must go through training and learn the tools and methods for an effective application process and knowledge of the steps beyond the application process

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Bye for now!