Financial wellbeing is a crucial aspect of student success and retention, Inside Higher Ed reports. According to data from Trellis Research, 73% of college students have experienced financial difficulties, which can negatively impact academic performance and mental wellbeing. East Carolina University has established a Financial Wellness Hub to provide resources and support for students in managing their finances. Kevin Sutton, director of financial wellness, suggests that universities focus on three key points to effectively engage students: identifying unique needs, determining delivery methods, and prioritizing essential financial topics such as budgeting and credit.
The Biden administration is entering a regulatory negotiation process in the latest stage of its ongoing attempts to cancel student loan debt, Higher Ed Dive reports. The negotiation committee must agree on regulatory language, and if they can’t, the Education Department can write the rule themselves. Unlike the administration’s previous plan, there is no specific amount of debt targeted for cancellation. The focus is on helping vulnerable borrowers with excessive loan balances. However, this regulatory process is much longer than Biden’s original plan and may face legal challenges similar to the previous loan forgiveness plan.
Inside Higher Ed reports on a new Community College Research Center report that examines the benefits of increasing participation in dual enrollment programs for a wider range of student populations. The proportion of students enrolled in both high school and college concurrently is rising, despite an overall decline in community college enrollment. The dual enrollment population is disproportionately composed of White students, the report finds, with lower representations of Black, Hispanic, and Pacific Islander students. University officials and higher education experts suggest bringing college tutors to high schools and bolstering outreach efforts in order to create a more equitable dual enrollment system.
Some institutions have seen short-term enrollment gains from cutting their tuition prices, but it does not guarantee long-term change, Higher Ed Dive reports. While some colleges have experienced immediate benefits from this strategy, growth usually tapers off in a matter of a few years. Tuition resets have become more common among private colleges since 2015. Research shows that institutions that reset tuition saw an increase in applications and enrollment, but the momentum slowed over time and did not affect retention rates.
Higher education enrollment and retention are affected by rising living costs across the U.S., Inside Higher Ed reports. Many institutions lack on-campus amenities, which makes it difficult for students to find inexpensive accommodation. According to a survey on institutional support for student well-being conducted in 2023, 64% of respondents thought there were enough accommodation options on campus. According to Temple University’s Hope Center, 4.6% of graduate students and 8% of undergraduates experienced homelessness within the previous 30 days. 85% of participants in the rapid rehousing program at Fort Lewis College have found permanent or stable housing.