College Enrollment During the Pandemic: Insights into Enrollment Decisions Among Black Florida College Applicants

Oct 15, 2026

A working paper examining how nonacademic, pandemic-era constraints shape college enrollment choices for Black applicants in Florida. Using survey and enrollment data from two Florida community colleges, the study analyzes how racial and ethnic background, basic-needs insecurity, expectations about paying for college, and use of pre-college financial aid supports relate to fall enrollment and full-time status. Findings emphasize affordability and access gaps and offer recommendations for institutions, educators, philanthropies, and policymakers.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatPDF

Pages21

Reading Time53 min

AccessFree to download

Executive Summary

Introduction

Financial Barriers to College Enrollment

Enrollment Decision Factors

College Enrollment During the Pandemic: Insights into Enrollment Decisions Among Black Florida College Applicants Motunrayo Olaniyan, Pei Hu, Vanessa Coca Working Paper, April 2022 THE HOPE CENTER HO PE HELIOS EDUCATION FOUNDATION Too many Black students in Florida find their postsecondary aspirations thwarted by numerous barriers to enrollment that are exceptionally difficult to overcome. These barriers often have little to do with students’ academic preparedness. Instead, they manifest as a struggle to secure basic needs like housing and food, concerns about being able to afford college, or limited access to resources and supports to help them navigate the transition from high school to higher education. The pandemic has heightened the challenges that many would-be college students face in making that transition. Understanding how those challenges are impacting college enrollment rates among Black students is essential to efforts—on the part of institutions, philanthropic and student-serving organizations, and policymakers—to provide timely support services and resources that can help to increase postsecondary enrollment and participation. The research highlighted in this report provides valuable, nuanced insights regarding how nonacademic factors have shaped enrollment patterns among Black Floridians who applied to college in Florida during the pandemic. The findings support compelling recommendations for institutions, educators, and policymakers in Florida to make a postsecondary education more affordable and accessible. Helios Education Foundation is committed to supporting efforts that increase postsecondary participation and success for Black students in Florida. To this end, we prioritize efforts that illuminate the educational experiences of Black Floridians and actualize solutions to the most salient challenges they face. Paul J. Luna President & CEO Helios Education Foundation THE HOPE CENTER HO PE EXECUTIVE SUMMARY A college credential can expand the range of career opportunities available to young adults. However, existing barriers to enrollment for prospective students pose equity gaps in college access and success, particularly for Black college aspirants. In Florida, racial and ethnic disparities in college enrollment contribute to disparities in educational attainment. Only 31% of Black Floridians hold a college degree.1 In this report, we examine the attainment gap by exploring various factors contributing to Florida college applicants' decisions to enroll. This paper uses survey and enrollment information from two Florida community colleges (Hillsborough Community College and Miami Dade College) to identify factors related to college applicants' enrollment decisions. In the summer of 2021, nearly 15,000 applicants to the two colleges were surveyed about their pre-college experiences, and roughly 1,200 responded, resulting in a response rate of 8% . Of the respondents, 997 applicants identified as Black (i.e. , African American, Black Hispanic, African, or West Indian/Caribbean) . Based on the findings from the survey, factors associated with college enrollment include: • Racial and ethnic background– Black applicants were less likely to enroll compared to some of their peers. In addition, we found rates of enrollment varied within the population of Black applicants by ethnic background. Namely, African applicants were 31 percentage points less likely to enroll in college compared to African American applicants. • Applicants' financial background characteristics – Applicants who experienced basic needs insecurity were 7 percentage points less likely to enroll in college compared to applicants who did not experience basic needs insecurity. • Concerns and expectations about paying for college – Nine in ten applicants who expected to receive a Pell Grant enrolled in the fall semester. Applicants who expected to take out loans or use their savings to pay for colle

FAQs

What does the report study about college enrollment during the pandemic?

It examines how nonacademic factors influenced enrollment decisions among Black Florida applicants during the pandemic, focusing on drivers behind gaps in college access and participation.

Which data sources does the report use?

The report uses survey and enrollment information from two Florida community colleges—Hillsborough Community College and Miami Dade College—collected in summer 2021.

How do financial and support expectations affect fall enrollment?

Applicants expecting a Pell Grant were more likely to enroll in the fall, while expectations of taking loans or using savings were linked to lower fall enrollment; receiving help understanding financial aid was associated with higher full-time enrollment among those who enrolled.

Oct 15, 2026

Uploaded by Sophia Brooks