This study, funded by Arnold Ventures, evaluates the effects and impact of Virginia’s policy called Get A Skill, Get A Job, Get Ahead (G3). The G3 program offers “last dollar” scholarships along with additional support to community college students enrolled in five high demand fields: information technology, public safety, health care, skilled trades, and early childhood education.
As the rising cost of postsecondary education continues to disproportionately burden low-income community college students, this study aims to evaluate how effectively G3 reduces financial barriers and supports student persistence. The research will also explore whether the program contributes to alleviating workforce shortages in these critical sectors across the state.
The study will primarily use regression discontinuity design. For students who qualify for in-state tuition and are enrolled in one of the five fields at Virginia’s 23 community colleges, total family income will serve as the assignment variable. Students with family incomes below 400 percent of the Federal Poverty Level will be in the treatment group, while those above that threshold will serve as the control group.
To strengthen the analysis, a difference-in-differences analysis will be used, comparing the academic and career trajectories of G3 eligible students with those who are not eligible.
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For any questions, please reach out to Dr. Christine Leow at christine.leow@temple.edu