Almost 21 million persons were enrolled in a
postsecondary school during the 1990-91 school year.
Data from the Survey of Income and Program Participation show
that about 14 percent of high school graduates 17 years old and
over, or 20.6 million students, were enrolled in postsecondary
school at some point during the 1990-91 school year.1 Among
these students, 35 percent were enrolled in the first or
second year of college (includes 2- and 4-year colleges), 25
percent were enrolled in the third or fourth year of college, 19
percent were enrolled in the fifth year of college or higher, and
20 percent were enrolled in a noncollegiate postsecondary
school.2
Postsecondary students paid an average of $2,653 during
the 1990-91 school year.
During this period, postsecondary students paid an average of
$2,653 for their schooling.3 The cost varied from $1,066
for noncollegiate schools, such as vocational, technical, and
business schools, to $3,825 for students in their third or fourth
year of college. Among race and ethnic groups, Hispanics had the
lowest total costs ($1,882) as well as the lowest average tuition
and fees ($1,275).4
Schooling costs varied by the "dependency status" of the
student to their original family.
"Dependent" students, those still considered to be part of the
family in which they grew up, paid a total of about $4,387 during
the 1990-91 school year. On the other hand, "independent"
students,5 those less economically tied to their
original family, paid a total of about $1,923. Dependent students
may be more likely to attend school full-time and to attend more
expensive colleges than independent students. Independent
students more often than dependent students may have families of
their own to support, so they might be more likely to attend
school part-time.
About one-half of postsecondary school students received
some kind of financial aid.
About one-half of the 20.6 million postsecondary students
received some kind of financial assistance. On average, a student
received $2,919 per year, covering about three-quarters of the
students' total expenses. The average amount of aid, however,
varied by level of enrollment. An average of $1,673 in aid was
reported by persons enrolled in noncollegiate institutions,
compared with $2,573 by first or second year students, $3,312 by
third or fourth year students, and $4,223 by fifth year or higher
students.
The number of recipients as well as the average amount of
aid received varied by source.
More students enrolled in postsecondary school received financial
aid from employer assistance programs (3,617,000) than from any
other source. In contrast, only 416,000 students received aid
from either the GI Bill or other Veterans' Educational Assistance
Programs. The largest average aid amount was provided by loans
($3,155); whereas the smallest average aid amount was from
employer assistance ($979).
About one-third of postsecondary students received aid
from more than one source.
Although most postsecondary students received financial aid from
only one source, about one-third received aid from multiple
sources. The most common multiple source was a Pell Grant-loan
combination, with 6 percent of aid recipients receiving this
combination. Students were more likely to receive multiple
sources of financial aid if their family income was low or if
they were dependent students.
The higher the family income, the lower the proportion of
postsecondary students receiving aid.
Among postsecondary students with a "low" monthly family income
(below $2,100), 60 percent received assistance, covering 80
percent of their schooling costs. The average amount of aid was
$3,622 for these students. Pell Grants, which are need-based,
were the most common source of aid for students in low-income
families.
In comparison, 44 percent of postsecondary students with a "high"
monthly family income ($4,100 or more) received aid, covering 69
percent of the students' costs. The average amount of aid was
$2,427 for these students. Employer assistance was the main
source of aid for students in high-income families.
Although a higher proportion of Black students received
aid than White students, they received a smaller amount than
their White counterparts.
About 58 percent of Black students received aid, compared with 50
percent of White students. White students, however, received a
larger dollar amount of aid, on average, than Black students,
$2,927 and $2,527, respectively. Students of Other races received
an average of $4,032 in aid. Pell Grants were the largest source
of financial aid for Black students. For White students, the
largest source of aid was employer assistance.
---------------
1 This included full-time and part-time students; students
who took one course or were enrolled during one semester; as well
as those who dropped out before completing a semester.
2 The proportion of students enrolled in the fifth year of
college or higher and in a noncollegiate postsecondary
institution are not significantly different.
3 The cost of schooling included tuition and fees, textbooks
and educational supplies, and room and board (if
applicable).
4 Persons of Hispanic origin may be of any race. These data
do not include the population of Puerto Rico. The race and ethnic
categories in this section are White, non-Hispanic; Black,
non-Hispanic; Other races, non-Hispanic; and Hispanic. References
to White, Black, and Other races refer to the non-Hispanic
portion of this population.
5 Students were classified as "independent" if they were:
married, 24 years old and over, a veteran, the reference person
of the household, or if they had health insurance in their own
name.
Facebook
Twitter
Flickr
YouTube