UW-Madison officials are in the process of directing a study on financial aid and how it affects students' schoolwork.
The UW System, the Wisconsin Technical College System and the Wisconsin Higher Educational Aids Board are collaborating to conduct the Wisconsin Scholars Longitude Study.
According to its website, WSLS is the first statewide longitudinal study of the impact of private need-based financial aid on students' academic college career.
The study, which focuses on the impacts of private grants on college persistence and graduation, includes over 6,000 Wisconsin residents currently receiving a Federal Pell Grant while studying at the 42 public colleges in the state. Other students involved with the study are a part of the Fund for Wisconsin Scholars, which was established by UW-Madison alumni John and Tashia Morgridge.
The researchers conducting the study expect to have preliminary results within the next year on how and why financial aid affects college coursework.
