Merit Aid and the Politics of Education (Studies in Higher Education)

While a substantial number of studies have evaluated the effects of merit aid programs, there is a surprising lack of any systematic consideration of how states determine eligibility criteria for these scholarships. The selectivity of merit aid eligibility criteria can be as important as whether or not such programs are adopted. If, for example, merit aid programs have broad, easily-attained initial eligibility criteria, then a large proportion of high school graduates, including low-income and under-represented students, will gain eligibility. On the other hand, if the criteria are more rigorous, then a smaller proportion of students, likely those already planning to attend and with the means to afford college, will be eligible. Thus, this innovative book - the first to deepen the descriptive and conceptual understanding of the process by which states determine merit aid scholarship criteria - is crucial to understanding merit aid's success and failures at fulfilling the promise of education. Education, Politics & IR, Sociology & Social Policy Book Cover 1 Title 4 Copyright 5 Contents 8 List of Tables 10 List of Figures 12 Acknowledgments 14 Part I: Introduction to the Politics of Merit Aid 16 Chapter One: Deciding Who Earns Merit Aid: A Comparative Case Study Approach 20 Chapter Two: Public Policy Frameworks: Advocacy Coalition, Multiple Streams, and Electoral Connection 28 Part II: Three Episodes of Criteria Determination 40 Chapter Three: New Mexico Lottery Success Scholarship Program 42 Chapter Four: West Virginia PROMISE Scholarship Program 70 Chapter Five: Tennessee HOPE Scholarship Program 104 Part III: Analysis of and Implications for Education Policy 138 Chapter Six: Comparative Case Analysis: Between Episodes and Across Frameworks 140 Chapter Seven: Conclusion: A Revised Model of Merit Aid Policy Formulation 158 Appendix A: Population of States with Merit-Based Financial Aid Programs 172 Appendix B: Interview Protocol 174 Appendix C: Analytical Framework 176 Notes 178 Bibliography 182 Index 190 Introduction To The Politics Of Merit Aid -- Deciding Who Earns Merit Aid: A Comparative Case Study Approach -- Public Policy Frameworks: Advocacy Coalition, Multiple Streams, And Electoral Connection -- Three Episodes Of Criteria Determination -- New Mexico Lottery Success Scholarship Program -- West Virginia Promise Scholarship Program -- Tennessee Hope Scholarship Program -- Analysis Of And Implications For Education Policy -- Comparative Case Analysis: Between Episodes And Across Frameworks -- Conclusion: A Revised Model Of Merit Aid Policy Formulation. Erik C. Ness. Includes Bibliographical References (p. 167-174) And Index.