An investigation of sex discrimination in the awarding of financial aid to college students

This study investigated whether or not sex discrimination existed in awarding financial aid to college students in 40 midwestern colleges and universities. It examined whether there were significant differences in financial aid awards to incoming freshmen when financial aid directors reviewed simulated aid profiles, which were identical except for the sex and a picture of the applicant. It also examined whether awards varied by type of educational institution. The results yielded no significant differences for either sex or type of institution comparisons, although there was extensive variability in the amounts awarded. If the directors react to real-life profiles as they did to the simulated ones, the federal guidelines would appear sufficient in this instance to prevent sex discrimination.