Publications

A study of Achieve Atlanta's place-based scholarship, finding it didn't shift college enrollment at the eligibility thresholds but substantially improved persistence and four-year degree completion among students who enrolled.

A study of whether private scholarship awards actually increase what students receive, or get offset by reductions in institutional and other aid — a question with direct stakes for scholarship providers.

A handbook chapter reviewing the economics literature on nonfinancial barriers to college — from narrow interventions to comprehensive programs and systemic solutions — and what the evidence says about closing access gaps.

A handbook chapter reviewing the economics literature on college costs and financial aid — how price, aid design, and complexity shape which students enroll, where they go, and whether they finish.

A national experiment with roughly 10,000 undergraduates testing text-message nudges to encourage FAFSA re-filing — finding earlier filing for some students, but no lasting gains in aid, persistence, or attainment.

A brief on how schools can help students navigate college choices — what raises enrollment, what guidance on where to apply matters most, and which common strategies the evidence doesn't support.

A large-scale study of text message campaigns encouraging low-income students toward college, finding no overall effect nationally — but meaningful gains in Texas, where messages came from senders students already knew.

A randomized trial of AI chatbot outreach to incoming college students, finding gains concentrated among would-be first-generation students in financial aid, course registration, and fall enrollment.