Scarlet & Gray Advantage Evaluation

The Scarlet & Gray Advantage program will empower eligible Ohio State students to earn their bachelor’s degree — debt-free — freeing them to pursue a vibrant future without the burden of student loans. The program will scale up within a decade, starting with a small pilot in autumn 2022. This year’s pilot offers participating students scholarships, work opportunities, and learning experiences.

SSRL is leading the pilot’s evaluation in partnership with researchers from the Department of Educational Studies, Drs. Kristen J. Mills and Stephen Quaye, and from the Center for the Study of Student Life, Dr. Chrisse Edmunds. The study will focus on the first year of the Scarlet & Gray Advantage pilot (2022 – 2023) and will consider the following key research questions:

• What is the baseline level of financial wellness for the university’s incoming freshmen?
• How do participants engage with the Scarlet & Gray Advantage pilot program?
• How does participation in the Scarlet & Gray Advantage pilot program influence students’ financial and academic stress and wellness?
• How does participation in the Scarlet & Gray Advantage pilot program influence students’ first-year academic performance and retention?

More information about Scarlet & Gray Advantage can be found on its website: https://advantage.osu.edu/