College Choice Among Students with Disabilities: Decision-Making Experiences

College decision-making among students without disabilities has been well-documented, highlighting factors that influence student decisions to attend college, which college they select, types of support networks, and their pathways to degree completion. Yet, despite increased college enrollment amon...

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Main Authors: Megan Fujita, Grace L. Francis, Jodi M. Duke, Alexandra Raines
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Ali Khorsandi Taskoh 2023-12-01
Series:Journal of Higher Education Policy and Leadership Studies
Subjects:
Online Access:https://johepal.com/article-1-532-en.html
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author Megan Fujita
Grace L. Francis
Jodi M. Duke
Alexandra Raines
author_facet Megan Fujita
Grace L. Francis
Jodi M. Duke
Alexandra Raines
author_sort Megan Fujita
collection DOAJ
description College decision-making among students without disabilities has been well-documented, highlighting factors that influence student decisions to attend college, which college they select, types of support networks, and their pathways to degree completion. Yet, despite increased college enrollment among students with disabilities (SWD) in the United States, little is known about the factors that influence the decision to attend college and the decision-making process overall among SWD. Therefore, the purpose of this qualitative study was to understand factors that influenced college decision-making among this population. Through interviews and a focus group, participants described engaging in cost-benefit decision-making, uncertainty about financial aid and other loan policies, the influence of family and community, and personal disability considerations in college choice. Participants also provided recommendations for future students navigating college decision-making and for universities providing information to SWD and their families throughout the process. Implications for policy and practice, future research, and limitations are reported.
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spelling doaj.art-accc61ce2efa47e986aa805eb22e8b352024-03-28T12:35:55ZengAli Khorsandi TaskohJournal of Higher Education Policy and Leadership Studies2717-14262023-12-0144102123http://dx.doi.org/10.61186/johepal.4.4.102College Choice Among Students with Disabilities: Decision-Making ExperiencesMegan FujitaGrace L. FrancisJodi M. DukeAlexandra RainesCollege decision-making among students without disabilities has been well-documented, highlighting factors that influence student decisions to attend college, which college they select, types of support networks, and their pathways to degree completion. Yet, despite increased college enrollment among students with disabilities (SWD) in the United States, little is known about the factors that influence the decision to attend college and the decision-making process overall among SWD. Therefore, the purpose of this qualitative study was to understand factors that influenced college decision-making among this population. Through interviews and a focus group, participants described engaging in cost-benefit decision-making, uncertainty about financial aid and other loan policies, the influence of family and community, and personal disability considerations in college choice. Participants also provided recommendations for future students navigating college decision-making and for universities providing information to SWD and their families throughout the process. Implications for policy and practice, future research, and limitations are reported. https://johepal.com/article-1-532-en.htmlhigher educationstudent loansstudents with disabilities (swd)decision-makingpolicyqualitative research
spellingShingle Megan Fujita
Grace L. Francis
Jodi M. Duke
Alexandra Raines
College Choice Among Students with Disabilities: Decision-Making Experiences
Journal of Higher Education Policy and Leadership Studies
higher education
student loans
students with disabilities (swd)
decision-making
policy
qualitative research
title College Choice Among Students with Disabilities: Decision-Making Experiences
title_full College Choice Among Students with Disabilities: Decision-Making Experiences
title_fullStr College Choice Among Students with Disabilities: Decision-Making Experiences
title_full_unstemmed College Choice Among Students with Disabilities: Decision-Making Experiences
title_short College Choice Among Students with Disabilities: Decision-Making Experiences
title_sort college choice among students with disabilities decision making experiences
topic higher education
student loans
students with disabilities (swd)
decision-making
policy
qualitative research
url https://johepal.com/article-1-532-en.html
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