National Postsecondary Student Aid Study

[11] This trend data is used in a variety of ways, for example identifying best practices in decreasing inequalities in higher education[12][13] and means of increasing student persistence.

[21] This finding prompted postsecondary institutional leaders to reassess student needs[22] and to a review of policies related to financial aid.

[23] A 2011 follow-up study using 2007-2008 NPSAS data found a similar percentage of nontraditional learners (70%) and identified several key segments of college students that overlapped with this group.

[25] Others have found that useful variables are not included in the NPSAS, for example the status of tax return filings[18] and high school grades.

[26] Another criticism is that the data collection cycle necessarily discounts students who drop out early in their studies or who enroll in a semester other than Fall.