Part 2 of our “Strategies to Re-Enroll and Support Students Who Have Discontinued Their Studies” series
Lauren Dukes, EdD, Director, Student Support & Engagement (SSE), Noodle
In Part 1, we explored the steps involved in executing targeted re-enrollment outreach campaigns, including data collection, student segmentation, setting re-enrollment targets, crafting an outreach strategy, and measuring and evaluating results. It is also essential to have a comprehensive “bring back” plan of robust support systems for students returning to their studies. This will likely include a combination of existing programs that may not have been adequately presented to stopouts and exclusive offerings designed to specifically address common reasons for departing.
Challenges and Opportunities for Re-Enrollment
Many students discontinue their education due to financial challenges, family obligations, work commitments, or academic difficulties. The statistics related to leaving programs of study are concerning:
- 30-40% of undergraduates fail to complete their degree programs
- 24.1% of first-time undergraduate freshmen drop out within their first 12 months
- 25.7% of first-time bachelor’s degree seekers do not finish their studies, with this figure potentially rising to 40% among all undergraduates, predominantly affecting those under 35 years old
Adult learners must also cope with difficulties in managing their educational goals alongside work and family commitments, highlighting the necessity for tailored support within the “bring back” plan for this demographic.
Despite the challenges, approximately 13% of students who stop out re-enroll within five years. What’s more, individuals who do re-enroll are less likely to disengage again. To build on this, educational institutions are ramping up efforts to re-enroll students who have paused their studies. With a projected 20% decline in potential college students over the next decade due to falling birth rates, addressing the challenges of re-enrollment is crucial for sustaining enrollment and promoting community skill development.
How can we re-attract stopouts?
While there is no “one size fits all” solution to re-engaging stopouts, there are opportunities to proactively address the most common obstacles to re-enrolling: financial issues, scheduling conflicts and academic challenges. The following outlines a variety of flexible options that many institutions have implemented or are currently considering.
Expand Financial Incentives and Support
School is expensive, and even though most learners view the cost of education as an investment, many students, especially adult learners, have difficulty overcoming the financial barriers. Helping to lower these barriers by offering robust financial incentives and support mechanisms is essential to winning back these stopouts.
Re-Enrollment Scholarships: Develop scholarships specifically tailored for returning students to actively encourage re-enrollment by alleviating financial stress.
Flexible Payment Plans: Offer customized payment plans that consider the unique financial situations of returning students. Options like deferred payments or income-based repayment plans can lessen the burden of immediate financial outlays.
Debt Forgiveness Programs: Another option that may encourage re-enrollments is offering debt forgiveness programs for former students who return to complete their degrees. Partnering with industry stakeholders in high-demand fields can provide additional funding and support, making these programs more viable. Establishing parameters for forgiveness, like completing a set number of credits, ensures that the focus is not just on re-enrollment, but graduation, benefiting both students and industry partners by developing a skilled workforce.
Additional Financial Considerations: Consider waiving certain fees for returning students or offering academic credit for relevant work experience, which can further reduce the financial and academic hurdles associated with returning to school. These measures not only provide immediate financial relief but also acknowledge and reward the professional experience that adult learners bring to their academic endeavors.
Implement Flexible Learning Options
Another common obstacle faced by many students, particularly adult learners, is fitting studies in among other life responsibilities such as work and family. Institutions can offer more flexible learning options to promote re-enrollment and success while attracting a wider range of learners, ultimately boosting enrollment and retention rates.
Online and Hybrid Courses: Broaden the availability of online and hybrid courses. These formats allow students to engage with their coursework remotely and on flexible schedules, catering to those who may be balancing work, family commitments, or other personal responsibilities. Additionally, investing in high-quality digital learning platforms and training faculty to deliver engaging, interactive online instruction can improve the educational experience and outcomes for all learners.
Part-Time Enrollment: Provide part-time enrollment options that offer the same quality of education as full-time programs but with a reduced course load. Clear pathways should be defined for part-time students to progress towards graduation, ensuring they have a roadmap to completion that accommodates their availability.
Competency-Based Education (CBE): Implement competency-based education programs that recognize and build upon students’ existing knowledge. This approach allows students to advance through academic programs based on their mastery of specific skills or concepts, rather than time spent in class. CBE is particularly beneficial for adult learners and those with significant work experience, as it acknowledges and leverages their prior learning and skills, potentially accelerating their path to graduation.
Customizable Degree Pathways: Develop customizable degree pathways that allow students to tailor their educational experiences to their career goals and personal interests. This could include options for elective courses, specializations, or certificates that complement the core curriculum, providing a more personalized and relevant educational journey.
Offer Non-Degree Options
Institutions can also re-engage stopout students by offering non-degree options that focus on upskilling and professional development. These programs can potentially deliver a more immediate return on students’ investments of time and money and will attract individuals looking to quickly enhance specific skills without the commitment of traditional degrees. By providing these alternatives, institutions can appeal to a broader range of learners, facilitating a practical pathway for stopout students to return to education, update their skills, and support workforce readiness and economic development.
Skill-Specific Certificates: Develop targeted certificate programs in high-demand industries. These can be completed in a short timeframe and are ideal for stopout students looking to swiftly transition into new careers or advance in their current positions. Such programs provide a practical route for re-enrollment, offering a focused, achievable goal that can reignite their interest in higher education.
Professional Development Courses: Offer standalone courses that deliver professional development and continuing education opportunities. Tailored to meet the needs of local or regional industries, these courses can be offered in various formats—online, in-person, or hybrid—to accommodate the diverse schedules of stopout students, making re-enrollment more accessible.
Microcredentials: Introduce microcredentials that allow students to earn digital badges or certificates showcasing their mastery in specific skill areas. These can serve as both a standalone educational achievement and a stepping stone towards a degree, providing flexible options for students to gradually re-engage with academic life. This also provides an opportunity for graduates with no work experience to bolster their resumes with industry-specific certifications.
Workshops and Bootcamps: Organize intensive workshops and bootcamps that offer hands-on training in a condensed time frame. These are particularly suitable for practical fields such as technology, business, and healthcare, where acquiring marketable skills quickly can be highly beneficial. These short-term commitments can be more appealing for stopout students and may encourage their transition back into education.
Corporate Partnerships: Forge partnerships with corporations to develop educational and training programs aligned directly with current workforce needs. Such collaborations not only furnish students with relevant skills, but also enhance their job prospects by linking them directly with potential employers.
Provide Comprehensive Support Services
Support services play a crucial role in helping returning students succeed. Providing a comprehensive range of support services can address academic, personal, and career-related challenges, ensuring that re-enrolled students have the necessary resources to thrive. The value of such services has become increasingly evident in the post-pandemic world as more and more young people self-identify as battling mental and emotional challenges. As the cost and competitiveness of higher education continue to increase, universities that actively engage with students to face personal challenges will have an advantage.
Conclusion
A comprehensive “bring back” support plan is essential for successfully re-engaging stopout students. By offering financial incentives, implementing flexible learning options, and providing comprehensive support services, institutions can create a supportive environment that encourages students to return and complete their education. While these programs address some of the most prevalent obstacles to re-enrolling, universities must always remain mindful of the importance of personalization when targeting stopouts, as no two sets of circumstances are identical.
In Part 3 of this series, we will explore strategies for building a sense of community and belonging to ensure that returning students feel connected and supported throughout their academic journey.
To explore these ideas in greater detail and develop custom plans to meet your school’s needs, contact our Noodle partnerships team.
