In fall 1992, a study was conducted at Sinclair Community College (SCC) in Dayton, Ohio, to determine factors contributing to former students' decisions not to return to the college. Two groups of former students were included the study: those who had last attended in fall 1990 and had thus been absent for 6 quarters, and those who had last attended in fall 1991 and had been absent for 3 quarters. Random samples of 360 and 400 students were selected from the two groups, respectively. Of the 760 surveys mailed, 243 former students provided usable responses for a 36% response rate. Study findings included the following: (1) personal/family considerations or financial concerns were cited by more than 50% of respondents, while 17% indicated that they had achieved their educational goals, 12% had moved, and 18% had transferred to another college; (2) 72.9% of the 1990 group stated that they had originally planned to get a degree, compared to 88.1% of the 1991 group; (3) 38% of the 1990 group and 53% of the 1991 group indicated an intent to return to SCC; (4) students from the 1991 group were more likely to cite goal uncertainty, scheduling problems, and financial concerns as reasons for not returning, and less likely to cite time and transportation considerations than the 1990 group; and (5) career uncertainty and scheduling problems were more frequently cited as reasons for not returning among students who indicated they were degree-seeking. Responses to open-ended questions, tables, and a reader evaluation survey are included. (PAA)