Anthony Ryback
Faculty Sponsor: Dr. Chris Marsicano
The Davidson Trust, created in 2007 at Davidson College, was the first instance of a liberal arts institution moving towards a no loan commitment model. Students who attend Davidson are expected to pay the family’s “expected family contribution”, and if that number does not meet the total cost of attendance, the difference will be covered through a work study and an alumni grant, funding created through the Davidson Trust. Since its implementation, other liberal arts colleges and larger institutions have undertaken similar financial aid strategies. Now in its twelfth year, the Trust has opened up access to Davidson to those who may be more loan adverse. With the cost of college skyrocketing, now is the time to analyze and discuss the effects of the Davidson Trust.
Many studies about the effects of no loan initiatives (NLI) have already been compiled. Literature on expected and real impacts of no loan initiatives exist, but there is not a specific peer reviewed study looking specifically at the effects of the Davidson Trust on students at Davidson. The research question I hope to answer is, “what is the effect of the Davidson Trust on major choice at Davidson College?
