MDRC is pleased to provide testimony on college access and completion to the Advisory Committee on Student Financial Assistance. Access to college has increased substantially over the last 50 years, but student success--defined as the combination of academic success and degree or certificate completion--has not kept pace. Student success,…

"Financial Barriers to College Completion," released in March 2017, was prepared by intern Jacob Roble. The sheet notes major shifts in the labor market that make having college education increasingly important to economic self-sufficiency, and concurrent trends of increasing college costs, decreasing government support for higher…

The follow-up component of the Youth Opportunities Unlimited (YOU) program tracked the 127 students who graduated from 1988, 1989, and 1990 Henderson State University YOU programs throughout July 1989-June 1991. Students were contacted on a monthly basis through phone calls, school counselor contacts, letters, and newsletters. Findings indicated…

The follow-up component of the Youth Opportunities Unlimited (YOU) program tracked students who graduated from YOU programs. Each participating university--Arkansas State, Henderson State, Southern Arkansas, University of Arkansas-Monticello, University of Arkansas-Pine Bluff, and University of the Ozarks--maintained contact with its own…