Why is BPS Conducted?

Congress and other policymakers use BPS when they consider how new legislation will affect college students and others in postsecondary education. The kinds of questions asked include:

• What percentage of beginning students complete their degree programs?
• What are the financial, family, and school related factors that prevent students from completing their programs, and what can be done to help them?
• Do students receiving financial aid do as well as those who do not? Would it be better if the amount of financial aid was increased?