Paying the price : College costs, financial aid, and the betrayal of the American dream

Goldrick-Rab, Sara. (Author). Anderson, Drew M., (supplementary textual content.). Kinsley, Peter (Educational policy expert), (supplementary textual content.).

Summary: One of the most sustained and vigorous public debates today is about the value and, crucially, the price of college. But an unspoken, outdated assumption underlies all sides of this debate: if a young person works hard enough, they'll be able to get a college degree and be on the path to a good life. That's simply not true anymore, says Sara Goldrick-Rab. Quite simply, college is far too expensive for many people today, and the confusing mix of federal, state, institutional, and private financial aid leaves countless students without the resources they need to pay for it. Drawing on a study of 3,000 young adults who entered public colleges and universities in Wisconsin in 2008 with the support of federal aid and Pell Grants, Goldrick-Rab reveals the devastating effect of these shortfalls. She believes America can fix this problem. In the final section of the book, Goldrick-Rab offers a range of possible solutions.

Record details

ISBN: 9780226404349
ISBN: 022640434X
ISBN: 9780226404486
Physical Description: print
373 pages ; 23 cm
Publisher: Chicago ; London : The University of Chicago Press, [2016].

Content descriptions

Bibliography, etc. Note:

Includes bibliographical references (pages [317]-360) and index.

Formatted Contents Note:

Possible lives -- The cost and price of a college education -- Who gets Pell? -- Making ends meet -- On their own -- Family matters -- Making the grade -- City of broken dreams -- Getting to graduation -- Making college affordable -- Appendix 1. Wisconsin Scholars Longitudinal Study / Peter Kinsley and Sara Goldrick Rab -- Appendix 2. Overview of Wisconsin higher education / Drew M. Anderson and Sara Goldrick Rab.