Spring Break
ASG goes to Little Rock on students' behalf
Jennifer Joyner
Issue date: 2/18/08 Section: News
Nate Looney, president of the Associated Student Government, addressed the Arkansas Higher Education Task Force Committee about student issues, such as retention and graduation rates last Thursday in Little Rock.
Retention and graduation rates can be improved by increasing predictability and accessibility, Looney said in his speech to the committee.
The average resident undergraduate student will need about $67,000 to graduate in four years, and most families barely make enough to send a student to college, he said.
Looney suggested installing a statewide pre-paid college tuition plan.
Plans already exist through certain universities, but this would be different because it would be statewide, he said.
"[This plan] provides more predictability and extra incentives to invest early," Looney said. "Consumers may purchase their tuition in advance, which negates the cost of rising tuition."
If credits have been purchased, students would strive to graduate in a timely manner, Looney said.
Looney also discussed the importance of predictability in degree requirements.
Arkansas needs some kind of direct transfer agreement to make it possible for transfer students to graduate in four years, he said.
Also, Looney discussed increasing need-based financial aid to make education more accessible.
"Increased need-based aid will not only give more low-income students the opportunity to attend, but it will allow for those students to be more focused on their studies," Looney said.
Another incentive for student retention is to create a statewide Cash for College program, Looney said.
The University of Texas at Permian Basin has a program by which students can receive a $300 tax credit for every 30 consecutive hours taken towards a bachelor degree, Looney said.
"Since the program requires students to take credits towards a degree, this will also serve to dissuade students from only taking heavier loads of needless classes to satisfy financial stipulations," Looney said.
Retention and graduation rates can be improved by increasing predictability and accessibility, Looney said in his speech to the committee.
The average resident undergraduate student will need about $67,000 to graduate in four years, and most families barely make enough to send a student to college, he said.
Looney suggested installing a statewide pre-paid college tuition plan.
Plans already exist through certain universities, but this would be different because it would be statewide, he said.
"[This plan] provides more predictability and extra incentives to invest early," Looney said. "Consumers may purchase their tuition in advance, which negates the cost of rising tuition."
If credits have been purchased, students would strive to graduate in a timely manner, Looney said.
Looney also discussed the importance of predictability in degree requirements.
Arkansas needs some kind of direct transfer agreement to make it possible for transfer students to graduate in four years, he said.
Also, Looney discussed increasing need-based financial aid to make education more accessible.
"Increased need-based aid will not only give more low-income students the opportunity to attend, but it will allow for those students to be more focused on their studies," Looney said.
Another incentive for student retention is to create a statewide Cash for College program, Looney said.
The University of Texas at Permian Basin has a program by which students can receive a $300 tax credit for every 30 consecutive hours taken towards a bachelor degree, Looney said.
"Since the program requires students to take credits towards a degree, this will also serve to dissuade students from only taking heavier loads of needless classes to satisfy financial stipulations," Looney said.
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