Keystone Scholars College Savings Study | Center for Applied Research in Postsecondary Education

Researchers from AIR administered a survey to participants of the Keystone Scholars program, a statewide Child Development Account (CDA) program created by the Pennsylvania Treasury Department. The aims of the study were to capture parents’ expectations for their child’s educational future within the first year of their child’s life and to gather information on parents’ financial knowledge, assets, and savings behavior, as well as demographic information.

Bodies of Work

Transition to Postsecondary Education

Postsecondary Education

Focus Areas

College Access

Financial Aid

Methods

Survey Research

Data Sources

Primary Qualitative Data Collection

Primary Quantitative Data Collection

Approach

Qualitative Analysis

Quantitative Analysis

Resource(s)

Saving for College: Children Development Accounts

Media

In this podcast, CARPE intern Sakshee Chawla interviewed Robert Nathenson, a senior researcher at AIR. He spoke about the research behind Children Development Accounts as a means to save for college and thereby improve outcomes for children, families, and society at large.

Keystone Scholars Families Start Out with $100 for College — and High Expectations

Report

This report discusses findings from a survey administered to parents who received a $100 starter deposit for a child development account (CDA). Results indicate CDAs like Keystone Scholars positively affect parental expectations for their children’s future in postsecondary education, which in turn benefits child development and academic performance.

Keystone Scholars Baseline Survey Findings

Report

This research brief discusses baseline survey findings from a survey seeking to gain better understanding of parents’ reported expectations and financial plans for their child’s educational future.

Resource(s)

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