Publication Date
7-1-2008
Summary
This study examines the potential role of children’s college accounts (CCAs) as a way to increase college enrollment among youth in America. This study indicates that 91 percent of young people aspire to attend college; however, only 75 percent actually expected to attend college in 2002. Among youth who expected to attend college and had a CCA, there was an expectation/enrollment gap of 13 percentage points. By contrast, among youth who did not have a CCA there was an expectation/enrollment gap of 30 percentage points. When controlling for all independent variables, children with a CCA are nearly twice as likely to be in college as those without a CCA. It appears that when the financing of college is perceived as being under a young person’s own control, that person is more likely to be enrolled in college. Moreover, findings suggest that college expectations act as a partial mediator between CCAs and college enrollment.
Document Type
Working Paper
Category
Financial Inclusion
Subarea
Financial Capability
Original Citation
Elliott, W., III. (2008). Closing the gap in college enrollment: The potential of children's college accounts (CSD Working Paper 08-16). St. Louis, MO: Washington University, Center for Social Development.
Project
I Can Save
Keywords
college enrollment, CDA, child development account, college expectations, child savings, asset effects
Recommended Citation
Elliott, W., III. (2008). Closing the gap in college enrollment: The potential of children's college accounts (CSD Working Paper 08-16). St. Louis, MO: Washington University, Center for Social Development.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.7936/K7B857MZ