Dynarski's study showed that prospective students from a lower socioeconomic status who received materials touting free tuition were significantly more likely to apply to U-M than those who received traditional marketing materials. Her research first led to the HAIL Scholarship, and now will apply to any student whose household income is less than $65,000.

The Go Blue Guarantee, "puts the affordability information front and center, where it can help students make decisions about where to apply for college," says Dynarski.

Listen to the whole story at Michigan Radio.