Jacob P. Gross is an Associate Professor of Higher Education and Workforce Development and Program Director in the College of Education and Human Development at the University of Louisville. He also serves as Director of the Center for Economic Education and Editor of the Journal of Student Financial Aid. His research focuses on higher education finance and policy with an emphasis on equity for underrepresented students, including students with experience in foster care and parenting students. Additional research strands include financial aid policy and AI literacy and the use of AI in higher education. He employs large-scale quantitative methods using state longitudinal data systems, national administrative datasets, and multi-institutional student-level records, as well as advanced longitudinal methods and mixed-method extensions such as Q methodology. His work has been cited over 2,630 times and he has shelped ecured more than $2.8 million in external funding as PI or Co-PI from federal, foundation, and state sources. He holds a Ph.D. from Indiana University in History, Philosophy, and Policy Studies in Education with a concentration in Higher Education.