The Statistical Power of “Zooming In”: Applying Geographically Based Difference in Differences Using Spatio‐Temporal Analysis to the Study of College Aid and Access

The prevalence and emergence of college promise programs presents interesting and important methodological challenges. Based on their immediate access to de‐identified data of applicants and enrollees, institutional researchers are in a privileged position to rigorously assess the effect of these programs in a myriad of outcomes. This study is a resource for institutional researchers to begin implementing innovative analytic techniques, which not only would make them more marketable, but will also improve the conclusions reached.