The Politics of Determining Merit Aid Eligibility Criteria: An Analysis of the Policy Process

Autor/in	Ness, Erik C.
Titel	The Politics of Determining Merit Aid Eligibility Criteria: An Analysis of the Policy Process
Quelle	In: Journal of Higher Education, 81 (2010) 1, S.33-60 (28 Seiten)Infoseite zur Zeitschrift PDF als Volltext Verfügbarkeit
Sprache	englisch
Dokumenttyp	gedruckt; online; Zeitschriftenaufsatz
ISSN	0022-1546
Schlagwörter	Student Financial Aid; Merit Scholarships; Eligibility; Criteria; Politics of Education; Policy Formation; Higher Education; State Government; Legislators; State Officials; Comparative Analysis; Case Studies; New Mexico; Tennessee; West Virginia + Suchen Sie Ihr Suchwort? Finanzielle Beihilfe; Studienfinanzierung; Studienförderung; Leistungsvergütung; Eignung; Educational policy; Bildungspolitik; Politische Betätigung; Hochschulbildung; Hochschulsystem; Hochschulwesen; Bund-Länder-Beziehung; Member of the government; Regierungsmitglied; Case study; Fallstudie; Case Study
Abstract	Despite the scholarly attention on the effects of merit aid on college access and choice, particularly on the significant effect that states' varied eligibility criteria play, no studies have examined the policy process through which merit aid criteria are determined. This is surprising given the recent attention to state-level policy dynamics and decision making on other higher education issues such as statewide governance structures. In the vein of studies that rely on theoretical frameworks to explain complex decision making phenomena, this study aims to extend the conceptual understanding of the merit aid criteria determination process. Thus, formally stated, the two research questions guiding this study are: (1) How do states determine the initial eligibility criteria for merit aid programs? and (2) How will three theoretical frameworks--advocacy coalition, multiple streams, and electoral connection--explain the process by which states determine merit aid eligibility criteria? The conceptual findings of this study contribute to the understanding of the higher education policymaking process. In particular, this examination of the politics of merit aid criteria determination has relevance for both practical policy and theoretical research consideration. (Contains 1 table, 1 figure and 3 notes.) (ERIC).
Anmerkungen	Ohio State University Press. 180 Pressey Hall, 1070 Carmack Road, Columbus, OH 43210-1002. Tel: 614-292-1407; Fax: 614-292-2065; Web site: http://www.ohiostatepress.org
Erfasst von	ERIC (Education Resources Information Center), Washington, DC
Update	2017/4/10