Top 10 out of the small subset of highly selective colleges, which overall do not enroll that high a percentage of Pell grant recipients.
Notice the collection of UCs at the top of that list? Here is what they do to improve access to low income students:
Application does not require any of the following:
- Counselor report
- Teacher recommendations
- Interview
- SAT subject tests
- Transcripts (required on matriculation for verification of self-reported courses and grades)
Financial aid application does not require:
- CSS Profile
- Non-custodial parent information
Financial aid for in-state students is generally good.
In other words, there are fewer items needed for the application, particularly things that depend on others (counselor, teachers, non-custodial parent) to complete in a timely manner and things that students in a school where few go to college may not be aware of until too late (SAT subject tests, CSS Profile).