State-Funded Merit Scholarship Programs: Why Are They Popular? Can They Increase Participation in Higher Education? 1998 Benchmarks Series

This report examines how seven merit scholarship programs in six southern states help increase participation in postsecondary education. The programs are: Florida Bright Futures; Georgia HOPE Scholarships; Kentucky Educational Excellence Scholarships; Louisiana Tuition Opportunity Program for Students; Maryland Science and Technology Scholarship Program; South Carolina Palmetto Scholars, and South Carolina Legislative Incentives for Future Excellence. It finds in the programs such common features as: a basis only in academic achievement; encouragement to attend colleges in the student's home state; and provision of financial aid to middle income families. The report identifies factors that influenced the establishment of these programs, including increases in college costs, reductions in the share of public college revenues from state appropriations, and changes in the type and sources of financial aid. An evaluation of Georgia's program notes that: (1) more students from low-income families are applying for federal Pell Grants (required of HOPE applicants from low-income families); (2) both high school grades and college entrance examination scores have improved; and (3) HOPE recipients (in comparison with similar students) have earned more college credits, have higher grade-point averages, and are less likely to drop out of college. A table that compares all seven programs is included. (Contains 10 references.) (DB)