Completion Funds: Collaborating Across Units for Student Retention - - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

▶

Jan 21, 2023 214 likes •393 views

Completion Funds: Collaborating Across Units for Student Retention and Graduation Allie Cummelin, Richard Campo, and Stephanie Kearley October 24, 2017 Introductions Allie Cummelin (Student Degree Progress) Richard Campo (One Stop

SLIDE 1

Completion Funds:

Collaborating Across Units for Student Retention and Graduation

Allie Cummelin, Richard Campo, and Stephanie Kearley October 24, 2017

SLIDE 2

Introductions

Allie Cummelin (Student Degree Progress)
Richard Campo (One Stop Student Services)
Stephanie Kearley (Office of Student Finance)

SLIDE 3

SLIDE 4

ASR Strategic Initiatives

SLIDE 5

Graduation Trends

SLIDE 6

Barriers to degree completion

Financial

Exhausting financial aid resources
Limited financial aid for summer
Denied PLUS/private loans
Personal financial challenges

Enrollment

Extending enrollment
Repeating courses
Enrolling half-time
Non-degree applicable courses
Transfer students

SLIDE 7

History of the Funds

Background:

Funds formally established (Fall 2015)

– Lump sum – Recurring

SWAT committee was formed (January 2016)

Goals:

To remove financial barriers for students
Improve retention and graduation rates

SLIDE 8

SWAT Committee

Unit representatives:

Student Degree Progress team
One Stop Student Services
Office of Student Finance
Student Account Assistance
Office of the Registrar
Office of Classroom Management
APAS (DARS) team

SLIDE 9

Nomination Process

https://100mencalgary.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/nominate-w.png https://www.teambonding.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/checklist.jpg

SLIDE 10

Who can be nominated?

Criteria:

Undergraduates
New high school and transfers
6-year (or less cohort)*
Not in their last term of enrollment
Exhausted available financial aid options

* Students that do not fall into this criteria component are still reviewed for financial assistance, if available.

SLIDE 11

Academics

Financials Personal Circumstances

Evaluation Process

SLIDE 12

Financials

https://www.ohio.edu/chillicothe/studentservices/images/FinancialAid3.jpg

General:

Account balance/charges
FAFSA
Has the student initiated contact regarding finances
Sustainability
Collections
Holds

Office of Student Finance:

Potential aid eligibility
Loan eligibility
Cost of attendance/need
Total loan debt

SLIDE 13

Overall Success

Numbers:

Total students reviewed: 268
Awarded funds: 74

– Degree complete: 43 (58.1%) – Registered this semester: 22 (29.7%)

Other:

Establishment of a formal review process
Financial aid adjustments
Financial Wellness Counseling
Job opportunities
Graduate early

SLIDE 14

Lessons Learned

Financial:

Check the Cost of Attendance (COA)
Remove late fees
Other financial options (i.e. UTFL, Perkins, etc.)
Partnering with colleges/departments

Non-financial:

Take a course at a community college
Petition for alternative courses to count toward

degree requirements

SLIDE 15

Student Success Stories

http://lynnipulse.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/635836528201378784-331006667_graduating-class.jpg

“I can now focus on actual classes, instead of paying for them...I’m committed to my education, and it means everything to me that you were able to give me the means to do so.” “I have probably read this email 75 times in disbelief. The last couple years have not been the easiest for me financially and I had to work more and study less...I am so grateful to have been blessed with this funding.”

SLIDE 16

Administrative Success Stories

http://media.washtimes.com.s3.amazonaws.com/media/image/2016/07/27/uofminnesotagate.jpg

SLIDE 17

Food for thought!

How to implement a similar program in your institution!

You do not need a lot of money - or any money!
How is your institution organized? How can you create

a collaborative group?

What are some of the barriers that you frequently see