Art & Science Group, Inc. 2000. <em>Internet Now Pervasive and Powerful Element in College Choice; Promises to Become Decisive Factor in Near Future.</em> (StudentPOLL: Vol. 4, Number 1). Accessed on September 19, 2008, from http://www.artsci.com/studentpoll/archivedissues/4_1.pdf.<br />
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	This report relies on data from StudentPOLL, a national sample of high school seniors who plan to enroll in a four-year college in the fall and have minimum SAT I scores of 800. Telephone interviews reveal that the internet is an important tool in the college process and often the preferred medium students use to fill out an application, obtain information, and make decisions about final enrollment. The article states eight major points regarding internet access and its effect on college application decisions. The study claims that internet access is almost universal (93 percent of students say that they had computer access at both home and school), with no significant digital divide between races or income levels. The internet has become a significant factor in the college process, as students rely on the internet second only to guidance counselors and visit college web sites to help make their final enrollment choices. Regarding college web sites, students are likely to cite that information about admissions, programs of study, and costs are more influential in their college choices than faculty profiles or the online campus tour. In addition, one-third of students apply to college using an online application, but other students are reluctant due to security concerns or lack of immediate confirmation. The study concludes with several recommendations for colleges: increase comprehensive academic content on college web sites; make an online application available, with instant confirmation to students after submission; and improve security of college web servers.<br />
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Venegas, Kristan. 2006. <em>Internet Inequalities: Financial Aid, the Internet, and Low-Income Students.</em> American Behavioral Scientist 49(12):1652&#8212;1669.<br />
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Through focus groups and case studies of low-income urban high school students in California, Venegas investigates the impact of the digital divide for low-income students seeking information about financial aid and describes computer and internet access in low-income urban high schools. She finds that lack of computer access is not a widespread problem, and that low-income students generally have access to computers in a variety of settings. However, functioning computers and internet access alone are insufficient to bridge the digital divide, as college-bound students may still face technical difficulties in using the computer or have personal biases regarding internet usage. <br />
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Most students visit federal web sites, such as FAFSA.gov, but do not know that a similar site exists for Cal Grants. Many students also report that they prefer to look on the web sites of individual colleges rather than call the financial aid office for information. Students and parents are often suspicious of web sites not linked to a specific institution or the government and are reluctant to offer personal information over the internet. In general, more attention should be paid to ensuring that students and parents understand internet-based financial aid processes and the resources available to them. Venegas recommends directions for further research.