Support at the Finish Line: A Case Study of Completion Grant Implementation at 11 Public Research Universities

• In Event: The Complexities of Paying for College

Abstract

This multiple case study examines the implementation of completion grants programs at 11 public research universities in order to address financial barriers to degree attainment for low-income students. Findings indicate that these programs can improve completion rates for students at risk of departure, but implementation varies by campus due to interaction with other existing state and institutional aid policies. Unclear financial hold policies, difficulty determining remaining time to degree, and ambiguous award timing pose challenges to implementation across various contexts.

Authors

• Anna Drake Warshaw, University Innovation Alliance

• Derrick L Tillman-Kelly, University Innovation Alliance

• Jessica Rowland Williams, Georgia State University