Iris Godes Assistant Vice President of Enrollment Management Quinsigamond Community College MASFAA Conference – November 2009

A Bit About QCC 2-year Public Community College Located in Worcester, MA Highest enrollment ever Fall 2009 with 8349 students Represents a 38% increase in FTE over three years when we had 6022 students So far this year received 8000 FAFSA’s, more than ever before. Last year reached 7000 FAFSA’s in April Typically about 54% on aid, expect increase this year

Our Students 56% under age 23; average age 25 30% minority 49% full time 11% taking online courses 52% Independent; 48% Dependent 61% of awarded students are Pell eligible (up 4% from ) Many are first generation

It’s All About Access Access is most significant aspect of our mission Open enrollment: accepted if graduated from high school, completed GED or qualify under Ability to Benefit Students have multiple goals for attending community colleges Extremely flexible scheduling Can enroll right up to the start of the semester

Challenges to Student Success Academically unprepared, starting at a developmental level or ESL takes longer to complete degree Achieving a degree is not always their top priority. Students juggle work, family, transportation, money No campus housing Classes run 6:30 am to 10:00 pm. Hard to provide support services over all of those hours Limited family support Students stop out multiple times

Financial Aid Challenges Getting through the process Satisfactory Academic Progress Policy Withdrawal Policy (R2T4) Limit to number of remedial courses that can be funded Inability to use current funds to pay prior balances

Efforts to Improve Success Lenient SAP Policy Policy to enroll even without financial aid award Provide book vouchers, even if not awarded yet Free academic support services: tutoring and disability services Advising Center open 8:00 am to 7:00 pm First Year Experience Course Online courses Opened additional site in Southbridge Fall 2009

Efforts to Improve Success If withdraw, cover the balance with QCC funds Waive charges if extenuating circumstances Changed admissions criteria in some programs; some became more selective, some less selective Intervention when on Financial Aid Probation Transition Center Seminar PACE Committee (Process and Communication for Enrollment)

New Efforts – Fall 2009 Renewed priority being placed on retention Major part of QCC Strategic Plan Enrollment Management Council QCC President has made this her priority Becoming a culture of “Student First” Improving cross functional collaboration and decision making President Obama’s Challenge