49
Massachusetts Department of Higher Education Meeting | May 7, 2013
Massachusetts Department of Higher Education Meeting | May 7, 2013
MASSACHUSETTS COMPLETION INCENTIVE GRANT FUND
Iris Godes, Assistant Vice President – Enrollment Quinsigamond Community College
Pamela McCafferty, Dean of Enrollment Management Fitchburg State University
Judy Keyes, Director of Financial Aid University of Massachusetts Boston
Clantha McCurdy, Senior Deputy Commissioner Massachusetts Department of Higher Education
PRESENTERS
A Public Agenda for Higher Education in Massachusetts
*****
We will produce the best-educated citizenry and workforce in the
nation.We will be a national leader in
research that drives economic development.
*****
The Vision Project: The Vision
The Vision Project
College-going rates of high school graduates
Graduate and student success rates Alignment of degree production with key
areas of workforce need Academic achievements on campus-level
and national assessments of learning Comparable learning outcomes among
different student population groups
Outcomes
Financial Aid Pilot Program
When students drop out of college, Massachusetts does not get a full
return on its investment, and students are left in debt without a credential.
The Problem
Can financial aid resources be used in innovative ways to increase student
certificate and degree completion rates?
The Question
Financial Aid Pilot Program
Working Group on Graduation and Student Success Rates Commissioned background
paper on financial aid incentive policies
Recommended that Massachusetts leverage financial aid resources to increase student success
Recommended specialized working group—Financial Aid Policy Advisory Group
The Process
Financial Aid Pilot Program
Financial Aid Policy Advisory GroupCharged to design the framework and guidelines
for financial aid pilot program that:▪ Will increase completion rates for degrees and
certificates▪ Will target low-income students at our public
institutions▪ Is based on evidence-based research▪ Is scalable
The Process
Financial Aid Pilot Program
Membership was representative of public college campuses and external stakeholders
Work of the Policy Group was guided by national experts David Longanecker, President
Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education (WICHE)
Brian Prescott , Director of Policy Analysis and ResearchWestern Interstate Commission for Higher Education
Policy Advisory Group
Financial Aid Pilot Program
The Research
Financial Aid Pilot Program
Will run from Fall 2012 to Spring 2016 Targets low-income, first-time students▪ One cohort - comprised of students from 11
colleges and universities representing all segments of public higher education▪ 3,500 students randomly divided into two
groups, Control and Treatment
The Outcome – Research Pilot
Completion Incentive Grant Fund
Completion Incentive Grant Fund
$3 million dollar annual projected expenditure
2,000 maximum grant per year$8,000 over four-year period Students may earn incentive during
summer if annual maximum award was not received during traditional fall & spring semesters
How Will It Work
Completion Incentive Grant Fund
Students must: Earn 9–15 credits
per semester with minimum GPA of 2.0
Maintain continuous enrollment up to four years
Sign contract of understanding
Utilize campus support services
How Will It Work?
Students will receive incentive grants in increments of $100 per credit each semester as follows: 15 credits in a semester = $1000 12 credits in a semester = $700▪ 4-year students must complete a
minimum of 12 credits to receive the incentive
9 credits in a semester = $400
How Will It Work?Completion Incentive Grant Fund
Completion Incentive Grant Fund
Institutions must: Agree to program guidelines Provide students with array of
academic support services Report institutional data
as required Program will be evaluated:
Quantitative and Qualitative
How Will It Work?
Completion Incentive Grant Fund
Evaluation will begin with the initial year of the pilot:
Quantitative Evaluation Internal External Evaluator
Qualitative Analysis External Evaluator
Program Evaluation
Completion Incentive Grant Fund
The analysis/evaluation of the pilot will focus on the following questions:
What effect does the CIGF pilot have on the rates at which students accumulate college level credit, the rate at which they persist, transfer, and complete degrees and certificates?
How do these rates differ for students by race/ethnicity, sex, age, first generation status, income , level of academic preparation, among other characteristics?
To what extent does participating in the pilot affect student financial aid packages and their choices about how to finance their education (especially the balance between grants, work and loans)?
Evaluation
College Participants
EASFAA 2013Massachusetts Completion Incentive Grant Fund
Iris GodesAssistant Vice PresidentEnrollment Management
CIGF – Quinsigamond Community College
Sample selected in late August Students required to sign an Agreement Wanted students to learn about the
program in person through information sessions
Sent letter and email to Treatment Group Offered multiple sessions - morning,
afternoon and evening Did not get a great response
Implementation
CIGF – Quinsigamond Community College
Extended deadline and offered more sessions
More emails, another letter, phone calls, faculty
If parents knew, it helped, but we have many non-traditional students
By end of October, started allowing students to come to the Financial Aid Office to sign the agreement in person
Implementation Con’t
CIGF – Quinsigamond Community College
Students thought it was a scamStudents thought they would have to
pay it back like a loanStudents bills were covered so they
didn’t feel they needed the fundsStudents don’t read what we send
them
Can’t Give Money Away
CIGF – Quinsigamond Community College
347 invited to participate 255 signed agreements (73.5%) 30 never signed agreement (8.6%) 62 became ineligible or chose not to
participate (17.9%)
QCC Data
CIGF – Quinsigamond Community College
158 received fall awards (62%) Total of $100,200 Minimum award $400 (9 credits completed) Maximum award $1,000 (15 credits completed)
How Did They Do?
CIGF – Quinsigamond Community College
326 students 13 became ineligible 59% completed at least 9 credits
Control Group
CIGF – Quinsigamond Community College
How many CIGF enrolled at least 9 credits?
How many enrolled for more credits than earned in fall?
How does this compare to control group?
How does this compare to college fall-spring retention rate?
Where Are They Now?
EASFAA 2013Massachusetts Completion Incentive Grant Fund
Pamela McCafferty, Dean Enrollment Management Fitchburg State University
CIGF – Fitchburg State University
Control Group: 98 Treatment Group: 130
4 did not enroll 1 refused to sign 125 signed participation agreement (96%)▪ 4 later deemed ineligible ▪ 3 EFC▪ 1 Residency
▪ 121 potentially eligible for payment
CIGF Population Fall 2012
CIGF – Fitchburg State University
121 potential recipients• 106 qualified for payment (88%) $96,100 awarded Average and median GPA: 2.95 Average credits earned: 14 Median credits earned: 15 Average award: $907 Median award: $1,000
Award Recipients Fall 2012
CIGF – Fitchburg State University
121 potential recipients15 did not qualify for payment (12%)
3: GPA < 2.0 4: Earned Credits < 12 7: Earned Credits < 12 and GPA < 2.0 1: Withdrew from the University
Non Qualifiers Fall 2012
CIGF – Fitchburg State University
91 “potential recipients”71 “qualified for payment” (78%)
Average GPA 3.16 Median GPA: 3.24 Average credits earned: 14 Median credits earned: 15 Average award: $921 Median award: $1,000
Control Group
CIGF – Fitchburg State University
Sampling file submitted to DHE early August
Treatment & control groups identified mid-August
FSU mailed out letters to treatment group late August
Implementation Timeline
CIGF – Fitchburg State University
125 agreements signed Letters with contract mailed prior to start of
term Mandatory group meeting second week of
term 79 students attended (63%)
Follow-up then done one-on-one 18 within 1 week (77%) 16 within the next week (90%) All signed by mid November
Participation Agreement Process
CIGF – Fitchburg State University
Coordinated effort with Student Accounts
Expedited effort at end of termAward “options”
Outstanding fall bill (rare) Reduction of loan Refund
Payment Process
CIGF – Fitchburg State University
Initial Sampling File AugustOnline Award Certification (Dec/Jan)End of Term data file (January)
Reporting to DHE
CIGF – Fitchburg State University
Quick implementation timelineNew Program (“kinks” to work out)
Challenges
CIGF – Fitchburg State University
106 needy students received additional grant funds
Many students reduced loansGreater awareness of course load
and time to complete
Benefits
EASFAA 2013Massachusetts Completion Incentive Grant Fund
Judy Keyes, Director of Financial Aid University of Massachusetts Boston
CIGF – UMASS Boston
447 Eligible Students• 203 Control Group• 244 Treatment Group
CIGF Population
CIGF – UMASS Boston
216 Signed Participation Forms4 signed and later deemed
ineligible24 did not respond/declined
Participation Agreements
CIGF – UMASS Boston
• 170 qualified to receive funds• $147,400 awarded• Average GPA 3.174• Average credits achieved 13.0• Average award $852• Median award $850
Treatment Group Fall 2012 Qualified Applicant Statistics
CIGF – UMASS Boston
3 Enrolled part-time 8 GPA below 2.018 Earned less than 12 credits16 Earned less than 12 credits and
GPA below 2.0 3 Withdrew from the University 1 Insufficient need/Cost of
Attendance
Treatment Group Fall Ineligible Reasons
CIGF – UMASS Boston
Average GPA 2.861Average credit achieved 13.13 1 Part-time enrollment 9 GPA below 2.016 earned less than 12 credits17 Less than 12 credits earned
and GPA below 2.0
Control Group Statistics
CIGF – UMASS Boston
Timing of implementationSystem preparationSoliciting student participationStudent support needed to
answer questionsCoordination of aidDisbursing funds
CIGF Implementation Challenges
CIGF – UMASS Boston
• 1st Notification to students sent via email on 8/31; due date 9/24
• Mid-September Academic Support Services makes follow up phone calls to students who have not signed agreement
• Late September “Final Notice” letter sent via mail and email; due date October 5th
• Early October Financial Aid reaches out to student specific support liaisons such as CLA First, BPS, CSM Success Center
Soliciting Student Participation
CIGF – UMASS Boston
Most students were fully packaged Commuter school; funds are needed
early on to pay rent, parking, transportation
Full scholarship students were not excluded from initial selection file
Reducing loans on a semester basis is challenging
Coordination of Aid
CIGF – UMASS Boston
Spring charges are on the student accounts before fall CIGF grant is credited; therefore no apparent credit balance
Worked with Bursar’s Office to identify students and manually force excess funds
Coordinating Disbursement
CIGF – UMASS Boston
170 needy students received additional grant funds
Many students declined student loans in lieu of CIGF
Students are more engaged with the Financial Aid Office
Supports the University’s retention efforts “Start on Track, Stay on Track”
More students seeking advice regarding course enrollment, transferring, etc.
Program Benefits
MASSACHUSETTS COMPLETION INCENTIVE GRANT FUND (CIGF)
