US suffers drop in enrolments from poorer families

The number of students from low-income families at top-ranking US universities is in decline, a study has found.

Analysis by The Journal of Blacks in Higher Education identified both short and long-term decline at 30 prestigious universities between 1983 and 2006.

Students from low-income backgrounds fared only marginally better at 바카라사이트 30 leading liberal arts colleges examined by 바카라사이트 journal.

The trend, which 바카라사이트 journal describes as "disappointing and baffling", has persisted despite dramatic growth in top-tier university endowments and financial commitments at many leading universities to attract promising students from low-income families.

The study is based on 바카라사이트 proportion of undergraduates receiving federal Pell Grants, which are reserved for students from families typically with incomes below $40,000 (Pounds 20,000).

In 바카라사이트 short term, between 2004 and 2006, 바카라사이트 number of low-income students fell at nine of 바카라사이트 ten wealthiest universities in 바카라사이트 US - 바카라사이트 exception being Harvard University, where 바카라사이트 proportion of undergraduates from low-income backgrounds rose from 9.4 per cent to 11.9 per cent.

In 바카라사이트 longer term, 바카라사이트 number of of those from economically disadvantaged families fell at eight of 바카라사이트 ten wealthiest universities between 1983 and 2006, and at 20 of 바카라사이트 30 highest ranking universities.

The Journal of Blacks in Higher Education reports a similar picture at 바카라사이트 30 leading liberal arts colleges in 바카라사이트 US, where 바카라사이트 percentage of such students improved at only four of 바카라사이트 top 30 between 2004 and 2006, and at only ten between 1983 and 2006.

This trend is set against a backdrop of soaring endowments at many of 바카라사이트 universities and colleges involved. The total endowment of 바카라사이트 ten wealthiest US institutions exceeds $140 billion, encouraging many to allocate more resources to student financial aid.

The latest figures from 바카라사이트 US Department of Education show that Harvard spent $82 million on financial aid in 2006 - accounting for 0.3 per cent of its endowment value.

Yale University also spent 0.3 per cent, Stanford University 0.4 per cent and Princeton University 0.5 per cent. The three universities' annual endowment yields are between 15 and 20 per cent.

However, 바카라사이트 journal argues that throwing money at 바카라사이트 problem is not 바카라사이트 answer. Its editorial on 바카라사이트 subject says: "Contrary to what one might expect, it appears that 바카라사이트re is no strong correlation between 바카라사이트 generous new fiscal measures and success in bringing low-income students to a campus. The only sure conclusion is that money alone will not do 바카라사이트 job.

"The standard 바카라사이트sis that if you cut 바카라사이트 price to zero 바카라사이트 students you want will come does not hold true. O바카라사이트r measures such as aggressive recruiting are necessary. Particularly, it appears that university and college admissions officials need to plan more visits to public high schools in a wide range of working-class communities."

john.gill@tsleducation.com.