the NPC and found that over 60% of the students had never used the NPC. Similarly, in early research prior to the 2011 NPC mandate, Hesel and Williams (2010) found that only 26% of students and/or parents had used some type of financial aid calculator. This research was later repeated by Hesel and Meade (2012) who found that the number of calculator users had increased to 35% of students and 3.5% of parents. It is important to note that both of these studies referred to any financial aid calculator and were not specific to the government-mandated NPC. Hesel and Williams (2010) also found that Asian students were slightly more likely to indicate using a financial aid calculator compared to Hispanic and African American students. Income also played a role in the use of a calculator. Families that earned more than $100,000 were three times more likely to have used a calculator than families who earned less than $40,000 (Hesel & Williams, 2010). Within those families, parents were more likely to be the calculator user for the highest income group while students were typically the calculator user for the lowest income group (Hesel & Williams, 2010) The Noel-Levitz (2013) firm studied student and parent expectations from using a NPC and found that more than 70% of calculator users just expected an estimate of financial aid. Only 28% of users expected an exact offer. In gauging reaction to use of a NPC, Noel-Levitz found that 33% of calculator users reported that it did alter their perception of a school, with 12% reporting the NPC did have a negative effect. My research study seeks to expand the research related to the NPC so as to develop an understanding of the role the NPC plays in a college decision. student’s Summary
the NPC and found that over 60% of the students had never used the NPC. Similarly, in early research prior to the 2011 NPC mandate, Hesel and Williams (2010) found that only 26% of students and/or parents had used some type of financial aid calculator. This research was later repeated by Hesel and Meade (2012) who found that the number of calculator users had increased to 35% of students and 3.5% of parents. It is important to note that both of these studies referred to any financial aid calculator and were not specific to the government-mandated NPC. Hesel and Williams (2010) also found that Asian students were slightly more likely to indicate using a financial aid calculator compared to Hispanic and African American students. Income also played a role in the use of a calculator. Families that earned more than $100,000 were three times more likely to have used a calculator than families who earned less than $40,000 (Hesel & Williams, 2010). Within those families, parents were more likely to be the calculator user for the highest income group while students were typically the calculator user for the lowest income group (Hesel & Williams, 2010) The Noel-Levitz (2013) firm studied student and parent expectations from using a NPC and found that more than 70% of calculator users just expected an estimate of financial aid. Only 28% of users expected an exact offer. In gauging reaction to use of a NPC, Noel-Levitz found that 33% of calculator users reported that it did alter their perception of a school, with 12% reporting the NPC did have a negative effect. My research study seeks to expand the research related to the NPC so as to develop an understanding of the role the NPC plays in a student’s college decision. Summary