Colleges Urged to Consider Messages They Send to Low-Income Students

New research from Northwestern University scholars suggests that low-income students' academic confidence depends in part on their perception of whether the environment is supportive or chilly for their socioeconomic class. While low-income students depend on financial aid, they also look for messages, the research suggests. For example, statement such as "only half of our students require financial aid" may suggest that a college values wealthier students, the research finds.