Mid-Atlantic Community College (MACC) is a large, urban, 2-year public community college located in Paterson, New Jersey. There are considerable challenges with respect to academic progress and retention because of student characteristics associated with an urban student population. Very little research has been done on the timing of when a student applies to an institution and when they apply for financial aid. This study examined the relationship between the time a cohort of first-time students applied for admission to the college, when they applied for financial aid, their academic progress at the end of the 2005, 2006, and 2007 award years, and whether they persisted to their sophomore year. The hypothesis on which the study was based was whether there is a predictive relationship between the time when students applied for admission and financial aid, and their subsequent academic progression and retention. Because the purpose of this study was to determine the predictive relationship between the independent and dependent variables, multiple regression analysis was utilized. In general, multiple regression allows the researcher to ask (and hopefully answer) the general question "what is the best predictor of?" [The dissertation citations contained here are published with the permission of ProQuest LLC. Further reproduction is prohibited without permission. Copies of dissertations may be obtained by Telephone (800) 1-800-521-0600. Web page: http://www.proquest.com.bibliotheek.ehb.be/en-US/products/dissertations/individuals.shtml.]