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College tuition support programs

Health Factors: Education
Decision Makers: Community Organizations, Government - State, Schools
Evidence Rating: Insufficient Evidence
Population Reach: 1-9% of WI's population
Impact on Disparities: Likely to decrease disparities

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Description

College tuition support programs provide some level of college tuition or financial aid support to students who complete high school, sometimes also requiring a specific GPA level or other criteria. Programs may also include support services to assist students in completing their studies. Examples of these programs include: Graduation Really Achieves Dreams (GRAD), Kalamazoo Promise, Florida Bright Start, Georgia HOPE, Tennessee HOPE, South Carolina educational lottery, and Wisconsin Covenant.

Expected Beneficial Outcomes

Improved rates of college attendance
Improved college eligibility and academic credits earned
Improved enrollment in college prep classes
Improved likelihood of meeting college requirements 

Evidence of Effectiveness

To date, little evidence is available to demonstrate the effectiveness of such programs.  Fashola 1998 cites GRAD as effective in increasing rates of college attendance. IES WWC (Project GRAD) reports evidence of effectiveness of this program on dropout prevention, but reports no discernable effects of Project GRAD on staying in school, progressing in school, or completing school.

Kalamazoo Promise (initiated in 2005 by anonymous donors) and Wisconsin Covenant (begun in 2006) are relatively new programs that have not yet been evaluated extensively.  Bartik 2012 provides an overview of short-term outcomes and possible benefits of the Kalamazoo Promise project.

Implementation Examples

United States

There are numerous examples of college tuition support programs in the US. A few examples are noted here. Started in 2005, the Kalamazoo Promise offers full scholarships (tuition and mandatory fees) to any public college in Michigan for Kalamazoo residents who have completed all of their high school schooling in the city's public school system. Georgia and Indiana subsidize college tuition through Project Hope, which is merit based, and 21st Century Scholars, targeting low income students. Other programs, such as GRAD, offer smaller set amounts for tuition in a number of states.

Wisconsin

WI Covenant was started in 2006. This program promises admission to an institution of higher education in the state and an affordable financial aid package to students who sign the Covenant contract, maintain a B average, take classes to prepare for college, apply for financial aid in a timely manner, graduate, and participate in their communities.  Governor Walker's 2011-13 Executive Budget proposes limiting the program to students who have signed the pledge before September 30, 2011.

Implementation Resources

GA HOPE - GAcollege411. Georgia’s HOPE scholarship program overview. Accessed on June 23, 2012
Webpage: https://secure.gacollege411.org/Financial_Aid_Planning/HOPE_Program/Georgia_s_HOPE_Scholarship_Program_Overview.aspx
GRAD - Project GRAD. The nation’s largest college access program for students in low-income areas, opening the doors to college with academic, community and financial assistance. Accessed on June 20, 2012
Webpage: http://www.projectgrad.org
Kalamazoo Promise - The Kalamazoo Promise. Accessed on June 30, 2012
Webpage: https://www.kalamazoopromise.com/
Wisconsin Covenant - Wisconsin Covenant. A path to higher education for Wisconsin students. Accessed on June 23, 2012
Webpage: http://www.wisconsincovenant.wi.gov/

Citations - Evidence

Bartik 2012 - Bartik T, Lachowska, M. The Short-term Effects of the Kalamazoo Promise Scholarship on Student Outcomes. Upjohn Institute working paper; 12-186. 2012. Accessed on January 15, 2013
Webpage: http://research.upjohn.org/up_workingpapers/186/
Fashola 1998* - Fashola OS, Slavin RE. Effective dropout prevention and college attendance programs for students placed at risk. Journal of Education for Students Placed at Risk. 1998;3(2):159-83. Accessed on June 23, 2012
Webpage: http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1207/s15327671espr0302_5
IES WWC - What Works in Education Clearinghouse (WWC). Find what works. Institute of Education Sciences (IES). Accessed on June 19, 2012
Webpage: http://ies.ed.gov/ncee/wwc/findwhatworks.aspx

* Journal subscription may be required for access.

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Evidence Rating

Level of effectiveness based on a scan of academic literature and key recommendations of leading organizations.

  • Scientifically Supported Numerous studies or systematic review(s) with positive results
  • Some Evidence Research suggests positive impacts; further study may be warranted
  • Expert Opinion Recommended by credible groups*; research evidence limited
  • Insufficient Evidence Evidence limited or unavailable; further study warranted
  • Mixed Evidence Evidence mixed; further study warranted
  • Evidence of Ineffectiveness Research consistently shows program is detrimental or has no effect

Although many policies and programs are recommended by credible groups, we apply the rating ‘expert opinion’ only when policies are recommended but limited scientific evidence of effectiveness is available.

* The American Heritage Dictionary defines credible as 'capable of being believed; plausible.' and 'worthy of confidence; reliable.' To be considered an 'expert recommendation,' policies and programs must be recommended by one or more organizations that are recognized for their impartial expertise in the area of interest and have limited evidence available.

Potential Population Reach

Portion of Wisconsin's population likely to be reached by a policy or program if implemented statewide, based on its characteristics (e.g., target population(s), geographic limitations, and potential implementers).

<1%   20-49%
1-9%   50-99%
10-19%   100%

Potential Population Reach

Portion of Wisconsin's population likely to be reached by a policy or program if implemented statewide, based on its characteristics (e.g., target population(s), geographic limitations, and potential implementers).

<1%   20-49%
1-9%   50-99%
10-19%   100%

Potential Impact on Health Disparities

Likely impact of a given policy or program on racial/ethnic, socioeconomic, geographic or other disparities in Wisconsin based on its characteristics (e.g., target audience, mode of delivery, etc.) and best available evidence related to disparities.

  • Likely to decrease disparities
  • No impact on disparities likely
  • Likely to increase disparities