Undergraduate nonfederal grant and scholarship aid between 2003–04 and 2015–16

Overall, in each selected year, 2003–04 through 2015–16, between 36 and 46 percent of undergraduates received nonfederal grant aid, which includes grants and scholarships from states, institutions, and private organizations. The National Center for Education Statistics released a new set of web tables today (August 14) entitled Trends in Undergraduate Nonfederal Grant and Scholarship Aid by Demographic and Enrollment Characteristics: Selected Years, 2003–04 to 2015–16. These tables present trend data over a 12-year period on the percentage of undergraduates who received nonfederal grant and scholarship aid, and the average amount received. Key findings include: The average amount of nonfederal grant aid received by undergraduates was $4,600 in 2003–04 and $6,900 in 2015–16. The percentage of undergraduates receiving state grant aid was 16 percent in 2003–04 and 22 percent in 2015–16. The average amount received was $2,500 in 2003–04 and $2,600 in 2015–16. The percentage of undergraduates receiving institutional grant aid was 16 percent in 2003–04 and 24 percent in 2015–16. The average amount received was $5,800 in 2003–04 and $8,300 in 2015–16. The percentage of undergraduates receiving employer aid was 9 percent in 2003–04 and 6 percent in 2015–16. The average amount received was $2,600 in 2003–04 and $4,800 in 2015–16. The web tables use data from four administrations of the National Postsecondary Student Aid Study (NPSAS). Estimates for NPSAS:04, NPSAS:08, and NPSAS:16 pertain to undergraduate students enrolled in Title IV eligible postsecondary institutions in the 50 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico. NPSAS:12 did not include institutions sampled from Puerto Rico, therefore, NPSAS:12 estimates are for undergraduate students in the 50 states and the District of Columbia.