Facts & Figures

How States Spent Student Aid During the Downturn

June 25, 2012

As family incomes dropped and tuition rose during the recession, most states spent more money on financial aid for students at public colleges. Some states, however, dedicated a greater share of grants to private and for-profit colleges, according to a new report.

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How States Spent Student Aid During the Downturn

Before the recession After the recession

Before the Recession: 2006-7

Most of the nearly $7.6-billion in state money for grants went to public colleges. About a quarter went to private colleges, and roughly 4 percent went to for-profits. Circles are sized according to college-age residents.

Southern states such as West Virginia, South Carolina, and Georgia spend the most on grants per college-age resident.

Kansas, Ohio, and Pennsylvania each spent less than 50 percent of their student-aid money on public colleges in 2006-7.

After the Recession: 2010-11

Most states raised their share of spending at public colleges (green lines). A few states, like Indiana and Maryland, reduced their share of spending on public colleges (red lines).

California

78% of student-aid grants went to public colleges in 2006-7.

+20% change in share to public colleges since 2006-7

$452 student-aid grants per college-age resident, 2010-11

Note: Loans are not included in these figures. National totals include all states, Washington D.C., and Puerto Rico. Some states are excluded from this chart because the destination of a large proportion of their student-aid spending is unknown. Iowa, where less than 15 percent of student-aid grants go to public colleges, is not shown.

Source: National Association of State Student Grant and Aid Programs

By Josh Keller/ Feedback

How States Spent Student Aid During the Downturn

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How States Spent Student Aid During the Downturn

Before the Recession: 2006-7

After the Recession: 2010-11

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