Creating a System Culture of College Connections for Student Success: Focus on Foster Care, Homeless & Other Disconnected Youth Presented by: Dr. Matthew K. Robison Ms. Elizabeth Thornton

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What is 15 to Finish? 15 to Finish is a retention, progression, and graduation initiative designed to increase on-time completion rates by establishing 15+ credit hours per semester as the new norm. This cost effective and enrollment intense approach shortens the time to graduation through a number of advising strategies, such as the development of Program Maps, the creation of Meta-Majors, and the use of structured scheduling.

Why 15 Matters? An October 2013 Complete College America survey of 329 institutions in 30 states, covering both two and four year public colleges, found: Most college students (69%) were not enrolled in a schedule that would lead to on-time graduation, even if they never changed majors, failed a course, or took a class they didn’t need. Even among “full-time” students, most (52%) were actually taking fewer than 15 hours, the standard course load that could lead to on-time graduation. At most two-year colleges, less than a third of “full-time” students were taking 15 or more hours.

(Complete College America, 2013)

It makes economic sense! Taking 15 credit hours per semester saves in annual tuition and fee costs as well in room and board expenses. Graduating college on time can save a student as much as $50,000 in extra tuition, lost wages, and additional related costs. Not only do parents and students pay more, but also public financial aid programs may incur more costs when students enroll in additional semesters.

Using Georgia State University as an example... University System of Georgia Tuition and Fees (Calculated based on in- state tuition, not including residential fees) Credits to Degree Max Credits Paid For vs 15 Georgia State University12015$1,312.00$2,624.00$3,404.00$4,184.00$4, Sem to degree Cost of degree$52, $45,564.00$41,840.00$39,712.00$2, As the number of hours per semester goes up, the total cost for college goes down! HOURS COST C

Using Georgia Perimeter College as an example… As the number of hours per semester goes up, total cost for college goes down! HOURS COST University System of Georgia Tuition and Fees (Calculated based on in- state tuition, not including residential fees) Credits to Degree Max Credits Paid For vs 15 Georgia Perimeter College6215$548.20$931.40$1,214.60$1,497.80$1, Semesters to degree Cost of degree$11,417.80$9,767.80$8,407.80$7,942.80$7,457.80$485.00

GPC Numbers Spring 2014 Graduating Class Average Number of Semesters to Graduation – 8.4 Average Number of Hours Attempted – 76.5 Number of Graduates Receiving Loans – 874 Of those 874 with loans… -least…$495 -most…$56,663 -average…$14,743

Education = Income The more time students spend in school the longer they delay employment and wage earnings. Current data suggests individuals with a Bachelor’s degree could expect to earn 84% more over their lifetime than high school graduates. A high school graduate can expect to earn 1.3 million over a lifetime. On average, an Associate’s degree-holder earns 1.7 million over a lifetime while someone with a Bachelor’s degree earns 2.3 million.

15 to Finish sweeping the nation! Utah University of Hawaii System Tennessee Colorado 15 states across the nation have launched similar 15 to Finish initiatives. Nevada Texas Kentucky

Kentucky’s Take on 15 to Finish The Governor of Kentucky, Steven L. Beshear, declared Wednesday, January 8, 2014 as 15 to Finish Day in Kentucky. Kentucky Lt. Governor, Jerry Abramson, stated “The governor and I know that if Kentucky is to compete for 21st century jobs, we must have a highly trained, skilled and educated workforce. Fifteen to Finish is an important campaign... that will raise awareness for our students and their families about the benefits of on-time graduation.”

And 15 to Finish news from Indiana “…less than a third of Indiana students seeking a bachelor's degree graduate on time, which is why the Indiana Commission for Higher Education and Learn More Indiana have mounted an awareness campaign called 15 to Finish.” “15 to Finish reminds full-time students that they need to take 15 credits or more each semester to graduate on time with a bachelor's degree. Without a plan to graduate, too many Indiana students find themselves wasting time and money on the wrong classes and credits.”

Utah promotes 15 to Finish through a website and video Click Here

Bringing 15 to the Peach State! According to CollegeMeasures.org, Georgia ranks 31 st in college completion with an average rate of 52.1% of its students at 4-year institutions graduating in 6 years. In addition, for students at 2-year colleges, Georgia is ranked 39 th with a 32% graduation & transfer rate. According to the USG’s Complete College Georgia webpage, by 2020, it is projected that over 60% of jobs in Georgia will require a certificate, associate’s degree, or bachelor’s degree. Presently, approximately 42 % of the state’s young adults are prepared to such a level. To remain competitive, Georgia must not only maintain current graduation levels, but also produce an additional estimated 250,000 graduates in upcoming years.

Complete College Georgia and 15 to Finish on our minds! The University of North Georgia is taking the 15 to Finish message to local high schools. In Fall 2013, Georgia Southwestern State College increased their standard freshmen student course load from 12 credit hours to 15; at the conclusion of the semester, they saw a slight increase in overall GPA. Georgia Regents University developed their own brand, “Four Years For You!” Georgia State University is implementing a variety of retention and graduation strategies…all in the larger 15 to Finish family. Click HereClick Here Spring 2014 saw the launch of Georgia Perimeter College’s Program Maps. Fall 2015 GPC will launch GPCS1020: Creating a Pathway to Graduation, a course with an advising focus that promotes the importance of declaring a program of study early and staying on track to graduate on time.

English Program Map for GPC Term 1Term 2 CoursesHoursCoursesHours ENGL 1101ENGL 1101* (a)3COMM 1201COMM 1201*3 POLS 1101POLS 1101*3ENGL 1102ENGL 1102* (a)3 PHED 11011HIST 1111HIST 1111* or 1112*11123 Area A Mathematics electiveArea A Mathematics elective (a)3-4Area C Humanities electiveArea C Humanities elective (b)3 Area B Institutional electiveArea B Institutional elective (b)1-3Area D Math/Technology elective3-4 Area D - Science course with lab4 Total Hours15-18Total Hours15-16 Term 3Term 4 CoursesHoursCoursesHours ENGL 2111ENGL 2111 or PHED elective1-3 HIST 2111HIST 2111* or 2112*21123Area E Social Science elective3 Area C Literature elective3Area F Literature elective3 Area D - Science course with lab4Area F elective3 Foreign Lang. course ( ) (b)3Area F elective3 Foreign Lang. course ( ) (b)3 Total Hours16Total Hours16-18

Recap: Why 15 to Finish? Benefits – Educational – Professional – Financial Groups Impacted – Students – Parents – USG institutions

Creating the Space for Dialogue and a Call to Action! No matter your role in education, you can make a difference. As academic counselors and faculty, you can.... As administrators, you can.... All members of the system can… …change the advising “cultural” norm. …promote the advantages of 15 to Finish. …be an advocate for financial aid incentives.

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