Structural and Behavioral Barriers to Student Success

In 2013, the George Washington University released six papers to increase the understanding of how student behaviors and decisions can affect educational success. Written by an interdisciplinary group of researchers from around the country, including the George Washington University, the papers examine the impacts of students’ responses to the financial aid system, to information about college and to classroom and institutional processes. The project was commissioned by GSEHD and supported by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

The project investigators—Sandy Baum at GW; Robert Shireman, director of California Competes; and Patricia Steele of HigherEd Insight—worked with a diverse group of experts on student aid, student success, cognitive psychology and behavioral economics. The research illustrates the student decision making process, how different responses affect educational outcomes and how the structure of the student aid system can either hinder or support student aspirations. The work highlights the reality that simply providing information and making funds available is insufficient for supporting student success. Systems must be designed to align with the way students process information and make decisions in the face of complex and unfamiliar situations.

The project’s six papers include: