Over 40%: Asian Americans and the Road(s) to Community Colleges

Abstract

Objectives: What are some of the key reasons Asian American students enroll in community colleges? Method: We utilized qualitative methods, conducting 49 interviews in Southern California with current Asian American community college and transfer students at three institutions. Results: We identified five key reasons why Asian American participants attended community college: cost, strategy, lack of intentionality in college planning, lack of support and accurate information, and needing a second chance. Contributions: Altogether, findings showcase how Asian Americans experience an array of diverse pathways in choosing to access the community college. In particular, findings highlight the major roles of cost and life hardship in Asian American students’ motivations for attending community colleges.

Money matters: How social class shapes students’ understandings of financing their education

“…Researchers have examined how students' social class can affect their likelihood to transfer (Dowd et al, 2013;Eddy et al, 2006); how community colleges can perpetuate social stratification (Dougherty, 1987;Dougherty & Kienzl, 2006;Dowd & Melguizo, 2008;Karabel, 1972Karabel, , 1974Schudde & Goldrick-Rab, 2015); and how financial knowledge influences students' trajectories (e.g., Campbell et al, 2015;Carales, 2020;Dowd et al, 2013;Goldrick-Rab, 2006;Park & Assalone, 2019;Wells, 2008). Their studies have found that students from higher socioeconomic classes are more likely to transfer and persist in higher education.…”