Date of Award
Summer 8-1-2025
Document Type
Dissertation
Degree Name
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
Department
Educational Leadership
First Advisor
Jack Maynard
Second Advisor
Ryan Donlan
Third Advisor
Jennifer Love
Abstract
This study investigated whether Black students were more likely to default on federal student loans compared to Pell Grant-eligible students who completed their degree programs at public four-year institutions in Texas. The study examined Black, White, Asian, and Hispanic Pelleligible and non-Pell-eligible students to determine whether socioeconomic status or race/ethnicity played a more significant role in determining default rates. The analysis was limited to four-year public institutions in Texas to control for the excessive default rates prevalent in two-year and proprietary institutions. The study was also limited to students who had completed their degree programs. Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) in Texas served as a reference group for comparisons between different institutional types. Institutions were categorized as Predominantly White Institutions (PWIs), Broad Access Institutions (BAIs), Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), and Highly Selective Institutions (HSIs) to control for institution type and selectivity in reviewing default rates.
Recommended Citation
Armes, Traci, "Student Loan Default: Does Race/Ethnicity or Socioeconomic Status Play a Larger Role in Student Loan Default in Texas Public 4-Year Institutions?" (2025). All-Inclusive List of Electronic Theses and Dissertations. 3166.
https://scholars.indianastate.edu/etds/3166