Barriers and Obstacles Faced by Low-Income Students When Trying

to Complete a FAFSA

Based on the article, “Low-Income Urban High School Students’ Use of the Internet to Access Financial Aid

" by Kristan Venegas

Introduction

Processing a financial aid application online decreases mistakes by the applicant, accelerated submission and review of application, and more eco-friendly saving materials and postage.

Low income students rely on the internet and computers at their school.

“Internet resources have potential to become ‘engines of inequality.’”

Obstacle 1

•Schools that promote using online applications will have students more apt to apply online. •This excludes students who do not have computer access and need to fill out a paper application.

Obstacle 2

•Lack of guidance students get from teachers/counsel-ors about how to find their way through financial aid websites.

•No one really knows…

Obstacle 3

•Process of filling out online financial aid application can take up to a couple of months. Students who rely on internet use at schools or libraries have limited business hours to work with and restricted times to use the internet.

Obstacle 3

•Many financial aid applications require use of email to keep student informed of application status, updates, and deadlines. •Some students do not have internet access at home to check email.

Sources

Kristan Venegas’s Article“Low-Income Urban High School Students’ Use of the Internet to Access Financial Aid"

Picture found on introduction slide Images used for obstacle 1(top image), (bottom image). Image used for obstacle 2 Image used for obstacle 3 Image used for obstacle 4