Challenges and Barriers in Accessing Financial Aid for Low-Income Minority Students in the United States

This paper presents a critical analysis of some of the major barriers that low income minority students in the United States encounter in their quest for scholarships. Higher education has emerged as a critical factor for social and economic mobility and stability in the last few decades. Financial aid has really played a crucial role in enabling low-income and minority students to study at institutions of higher learning. But there are so many factors that may limit such kinds of students from accessing such help. Some of the concerns highlighted are; the process of applying for a grant is complex, there is inadequate guidance and support, and the grant system is impartial. This is especially a problem for students who do not understand the financial terms or those who have language issues. While some schools provide financial aid workshops and counseling services, there is a lack of their availability and the quality of the services provided, thus making students desperate for the assistance they require. Hence, using data from online self-completed questionnaires and interviews and conducting a review of secondary data, this research work mainly aims to identify these challenges and then propose solutions.