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Participant Recruitment Letter
Summer 2024

To Any Potential Participnts

Re: Seeking Participants for Qualitative Research

Dear Potential Participant

I am writing to let you know about an opportunity to participate in a research study about any lapse of support for students within the transition between high school and college in the area of financial aid. This study is being conducted by Jessie Dorsey at the Saint Leo University in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Education.

You have responded to the social media post(s) calling for research volunteers. We are writing to tell you that we believe you may be eligible an approved research study about financial aid.

A survey will be sent to you if you are interested in moving forward through the screening process to be considered as a participant in this study. Agreement to be contacted or a request for more information does not obligate you to participate in any study.

Example: If you would like additional information about this study, please call or email Jessie Dorsey at (954) 801-3702 or dorseyjsm@gmail.com.

Thank you again for considering this research opportunity.

~ Jessie Dorsey
Ed.D. Doctoral Candidate



Implied Consent Document

IMPLIED CONSENT TO PARTICIPATE IN RESEARCH

Investigator: Jessie Dorsey jessie.dorsey@saintleo.edu

Title of Study: Exploring an Invisible Financial Gap: A Phenomenological Study

Purpose of Study: You are being asked to participate in a research study designed to illuminate any lapse of support for students within the transition between high school and college in the area of financial aid.

Procedures: You will be asked to participate in an anonymous interview via Zoom. This will take no longer than 40 minutes.

Benefits: Includes no possible benefits.


Risks: None greater than those of daily life.

Costs/incentives: None beyond daily life.

Confidentiality: Information that can identify you personally will be collected as part of this research. The research is completely anonymous. Confidentiality settlings will be used on survey software to prevent collection of IP or email addresses, location, or any other identifying information.

Use of information: Dissertation submitted to the Saint Leo University College of Arts, Sciences, and Allied Services in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Education.

Voluntary Participation: As a participant you may withdraw from the study at any time, or decline to participate, without any penalty.



By completing the survey, you are indicating the following:

·You are 18 years of age or older

·You have read the above consent statement and have had an opportunity to ask questions to your satisfaction.

·You understand that additional questions should be directed to Dr. Thomas Gauthier at thomas.gauthier@saintleo.edu

·You agree to participate in the study, under the terms outlined in this consent statement

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* 1. Have you achieved a high school diploma or General Education Development (GED) in accordance with the requirements of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and U.S. Department of Education financial aid eligibility requirements?

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* 2. Have you ever applied for the FAFSA, and/or facilitated the counseling, administration or application of the FAFSA and/or its related funding, in a professional capacity?

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* 3. Would you consent to participate in an anonymous Zoom interview (using no cameras and utilizing a screen name of “Anonymous”) to speak about:
• How do participants describe their experiences in applying for financial aid?
• What do participants understand about the processes of obtaining and maintaining financial aid and financial aid eligibility?
• What barriers do participants describe having experience with when seeking financial aid application assistance?

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* 4. Do you consent to allowing the interview to be recorded and/or transcribed, for the exclusive use of this research?

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* 5. Please provide the email address linked to your Zoom account (or an email that you can use to create a new Zoom account if you do not have one yet).

NOTE: This is how you will be contacted to participate in the interview portion of the study if selected.

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* 6. Which race or ethnicity best describes you?

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* 7. Are you of Hispanic or Latin origin?

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* 8. What gender do you identify with?

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* 9. What is your current age?

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* 10. What is the highest level of education you have reached as of today?

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