| The purpose of this study was to explore how junior level students at a Georgia postsecondary institution perceived their college experiences were impacted by the meritbased aid they received. The study employed a phenomenological method and was based on Tinto's psycho-social-economic-organizational model, from Theories of college student departure revisited (1986). A total of nine students participated in face-to-face interviews that consisted of 21 questions divided among psychological, social, economic, and organizational categories.;Data analysis revealed the following themes regarding the psychological aspect of HOPE (Helping Outstanding Pupils Educationally) scholarship: (a) positive feelings and impact, (b) some influence on college choice and advanced degree attainment, and (c) universal motivation on grade performance and degree completion. The social impact themes were based on the following student experiences: (a) no or some positive/negative peer relationship impact, (b) universal stress relief and positive impact on college life integration, (c) mostly positive impact on college experiences with a possibility of laziness/apathy.;The economic impact themes were based on the following student experiences: (a) little to no influence on college major choice, but some impact on course selection, (b) more positive than negative impact on spending/saving money, and (c) universal benefits of free/discounted books or free education/degree attainment. Finally, the organizational impact themes were based on the following student experiences: (a) primarily positive impact joining/benefiting from campus organizations, (b) campus organizations viewed as very/extremely important in deciding to complete education, and (c) no direct impact on college major choice, but primarily positive impact on student life integration.;This study was largely based on the recommendations for future research by Orefice (2007) who concluded in Student perceptions of the impact of their merit-based financial aid on their college experience that the debate surrounding changes in merit-based aid policy should focus entirely on student college experiences in order to maximize its benefits and minimize its drawbacks. Based on the themes associated with HOPE recipient student experiences, this researcher concluded that the benefits from most to least strength of agreement were related to psychological benefits, then equal benefits from economic and social categories, and lastly organizational benefits. |
