Chapter 4: State Merit-Aid Programs and Student Major Choice

Students’ area of focus during the first 4 years of college is likely to impact their lives for the next 40 or more years. In their late teens or early 20s, students must determine their major and subsequently at least one possible (if not the primary) career path. This choice may be deeply rooted in family tradition, interest in the subject, job prospects, or for many other reasons. One less obvious reason, somewhat overlooked in the literature, is public policy. Despite the economic importance of declaring a major in college, there is little known about how state education policy, in particular meritaid programs, affects this decision.