15 to Finish/Stay on Track
Invest in coordinated communications efforts and structural solutions to match student credit loads with the credits needed for on-time graduation for both part-time and full-time students.
Overview
Introduction
The vast majority of college students aren’t taking the credits needed to graduate on time, despite research showing the significant benefits of doing so – including better academic performance, higher retention rates and the increased likelihood of completion. Through the use of advertising campaigns, advisor engagement and new institutional policy and practice, more than 25 states and over 200 institutions are changing that. 15 to Finish – which originated at the University of Hawaii – encourages students who are able to take more credits, graduate on time and start earning faster.
Though challenging at first, taking 15 credits was critical to my academic success. Not only will I be graduating on time, but I’ll be graduating alongside the friends I made at my freshman orientation. Everyone should take 15 to Finish.
Jaymie
Student, University of New Orleans
Know the Problem
The math is clear: in order to graduate on time, students must take at least 15 credits per semester or 30 credits per year. But even amongst full-time students, the majority are taking credit loads that automatically put them on a 3- to 4- year plan for an associate degree and a 5-year plan for a bachelor’s degree. Each extra semester comes with a cost, and the longer it takes, the more life gets in the way – decreasing the likelihood students will ever earn their degree. Further complicating the matter, federal financial aid policies require students to be enrolled in just 12 credits each semester to be eligible for assistance, creating a de facto standard that 12 credits is “full-time.” The result: students graduate late, if at all, and rack up unnecessary time and debt in the process.
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Credit Accumulation
% of Students Completing # of Credits In Their First Year
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Click here for detailed data definitions and clarifications.
African American
Hispanic
Pell
Asian
White
DSData Suppressed
NANot Applicable
DUData Unavailable
Two-Year
Four-Year All Other
Four-Year Highest Research
Take Action
With 15 to Finish, students are advised to enroll in 15 credits each semester (30 credits per year, including summer enrollment), putting them on track to graduate on time. Data also show that students who take 15 credits do better academically and are more likely to persist. Banded tuition – ensuring that students pay the same amount whether they take 12 or 15 credits per semester – along with additional campus perks help sweeten the deal for students, and capping degree programs at 120 credits for a 4-year degree and 60 credits for a 2-year degree ensures on-time completion is possible.
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15 to Finish Campaign
15 to Finish Campaign
While not all students can take 15 credits each semester, many more could do so successfully. In addition to advisors sharing information about the benefits of taking 15, marketing campaigns should be used to help spread the word across campus. [See 15 to Finish Campaign Materials Here]
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Banded Tuition
Banded Tuition
Establish banded tuition to ensure that taking 15 credits per semester costs no more than the current 12-credit standard. This provides a powerful incentive for students to complete on time, because there are no financial consequences for enrolling in a heavier course load. [Learn About Banded Tuition at Indiana University]
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Full Time is 15
Full Time is 15
Create financial aid packages and academic maps based on the 15-credit standard. Train advisors to counsel full-time students into 15 credits each term or 30 credits per year, and consider additional incentives for “on-time” students such as preferred parking to further encourage truly full-time enrollment. [Making the case for 15 to Finish]
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Capped Credit Requirements
Capped Credit Requirements
Limit the amount of credits required to earn a degree. States and institutions should place caps on bachelor’s degree programs at 120 credits, except when accreditation or licensure requirements demand more. Quality associate degrees should be accomplished in a maximum of 60 credit hours. [Credit Caps at Minnesota State]
Implementation Guide
Commit
The vast majority of American college students do not graduate on time, but many more can, saving themselves and their families precious time and money. Taking 15 credits per semester (30 per year) is a surefire way to get on track. The resources below will provide an overview of 15 to Finish, including a deeper dive into the problem, resources for generating buy-in amongst stakeholders, and additional items that can assist in developing your action plan.
Resources
15 to Finish Overview
Dhanfu Elston shares an overview of the 15 to Finish initiative, including its history, supporting data, and role in broader college completion efforts.
The Power of 15 Credits
Students who take 15 credits per semester are more likely to complete.
CCA Alliance Compact and Scaling Standards
Guidance on our work, our Alliance, and effective implementation.
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Know the Problem
Resources below provide information on the challenges presented by low credit enrollment and offer solutions to help impatient reformers more effectively drive change in their states, regions or institutions.
Resources
Four-Year Myth
Most college students do not graduate on time. Many more can.
Sign up or Log in to add your rating.2How Full Time are "Full-Time" Students?
"Full-time" does not mean "on-time" for most students.
Sign up or Log in to add your rating.0ADDITIONAL RESOURCES ►The Elusive Goal of On-Time Graduation
Few college students get 4-year degrees in 4 years.
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Generate Buy In
Key stakeholders need to see data that reveals the problem and an explanation of the structural elements at its root. Share evidence-based examples of 15 to Finish’s impact, outside evaluations of the intervention, and benefits of implementing the reform. Consider “Challenge Events,” conducted in partnership with CCA, to help make the case for reform – providing in-depth information, and challenging stakeholders to support implementation.
Resources
Even One Semester: Full-Time Enrollment and Student Success
Center for Community College Student Engagement - Even one semester of full-time enrollment can improve engagement and outcomes for students.
Sign up or Log in to add your rating.0Redefining Full-Time in College: Evidence on 15-Credit Strategies
Community College Research Center (CCRC)
Sign up or Log in to add your rating.0ADDITIONAL RESOURCES ►Momentum: The Academic and Economic Value of a 15-Credit First-Semester Course Load
CCRC
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Create an Action Plan
Institutional teams and task forces should gather together, representing all stakeholders associated with implementation, for a Completion Academy where they will develop one-year implementation plans for scaling the strategy. Engaging with national experts who have successfully implemented reforms will allow teams to develop strong institutional plans.
Resources
Launching 15 to Finish in Hawaii
Presentation from University of Hawaii outlining the state's implementation and results with 15 to Finish.
Sign up or Log in to add your rating.015 to Finish Essential Practices
Checklist of practices considered to be essential to implementing 15 To Finish.
Sign up or Log in to add your rating.0ADDITIONAL RESOURCES ►15 to Finish Institute Agenda
Agenda template for the design of a 15 to Finish Institute.
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Act
Successfully implementing 15 to Finish requires intentional planning and a constant feedback loop with stakeholders. Though important to assess and accommodate the specific needs of your institution, it is also beneficial to draw on proven best practices.
Resources
Myth Busters: 15 to Finish and Today's Students
Panelists - including CCRC - discuss "momentum students," those who attempt 15 credit hours in the first semester and the benefits of doing so.
15 to Finish Materials
Designs - including posters, presentations and ads - that can be used for a 15 to Finish campaign.
15 to Finish Materials: Asset Instructions
Instructions for the use and printing of CCA's 15 to Finish materials.
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Design the Strategy
Using evidence-based models and proven best practices, implementation teams should develop their approach to the intervention, ensuring the reform is customized to meet the needs of their state and institutional partners.
Resources
Early Momentum through #15toFinish and Purpose First
Panel explores #15toFinish efforts and CCA's Purpose First initiative, which seeks to help students make more informed majors and career track decisions.
Sign up or Log in to add your rating.015 to Finish: From Idea to Action: Time to Completion and Importance to Advisors
CCRSC
Sign up or Log in to add your rating.0ADDITIONAL RESOURCES ►Why Even C Students Should Consider Taking 15 Credits Their First Semester
EAB
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Communicate with Stakeholders
Effective implementation of Game Changer strategies requires communication with a broad array of internal and external stakeholders. Communication within institutions and systems should introduce plans, provide progress reports, and deliver details of implementation. Recognizing that reform is often difficult, teams should provide ample opportunities for feedback and make adjustments to the plan as necessary while maintaining fidelity to the core components of the strategy.
Resources
15 to Finish Video for Parents
Utah video that shares with parents the value of taking 15 to Finish.
Sign up or Log in to add your rating.015 to Finish: From Skepticism to Scale
Dhanfu Elston talks skepticism and scale on 15 to Finish.
Sign up or Log in to add your rating.0ADDITIONAL RESOURCES ►Sample 15 to Finish Press Release
Press release template that can be used when launching 15 to Finish initiative.
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Implement the Strategy
Provide professional development and training opportunities for all stakeholders involved in implementation of the reform and stick to the timeline developed by the implementation teams. Document the implementation and provide opportunities for stakeholders to connect and problem solve throughout the execution of the strategy.
Resources
15 to Finish Materials: #15toFinish Video
National Video. Most students graduate late, costing them and their families thousands of dollars. Taking 15 credits a semester is the only way to ensure you're on track to graduate on time.
Sign up or Log in to add your rating.1Shared Principles for Boosting On-Time Graduation
CCA and NACADA: The Global Community for Academic Advising
Sign up or Log in to add your rating.0ADDITIONAL RESOURCES ►15 to Finish Student Orientation Presentation
Slide deck with information on the value of taking 15 credits.
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Improve
As with any initiative, it is critical that 15 to Finish efforts are effectively measured and data is used proactively for improvement. Build in methods to continually improve service to students and sustain interventions through the use of policy.
Resources
New Rules: Policies to Strengthen and Scale the Game Changers
Report outlining initiatives that, when supported by policymakers and implemented to scale, can boost college completion and close achievement gaps.
Common College Completion Metrics Technical Guide
Technical Guide describing concepts and data elements.
Defining "Full-Time" Tuition and Fees
Postsecondary Analytics
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Measure
Successful implementation requires consistent evaluation of progress and outcomes against Game Changer metrics that serve as baselines. Implementation leaders should survey participating institutions to document strategies, timelines to scale and technical assistance needs. Qualitative data should also be collected from implementers and students.
Resources
Is College Completion Improving in Indiana?
Indiana Commission for Higher Education
Sign up or Log in to add your rating.0Impact of Enrolling in 15+ Credits on Selected Performance Measures (UHCC)
University of Hawaii
Sign up or Log in to add your rating.0ADDITIONAL RESOURCES ►Impact of Enrolling in 15+ Credits on Selected Performance Outcomes (4-Years)
University of Hawaii
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Refine the Implementation
Keep improving the implementation through analysis of both quantitative and qualitative data, collected after each term of implementation. Identify improvements that can be deployed and identify challenges that require deeper analysis.
Resources
Hawaii's 15 to Finish: The Intersection of Data and Communications
Members of the Hawaii team describe the important collaboration between data and communications in implementing 15 to Finish.
Sign up or Log in to add your rating.015 to Finish Intervention Collection Spreadsheet
Template for measuring qualitative and quantitative outcomes.
Sign up or Log in to add your rating.0ADDITIONAL RESOURCES ►Indiana: Reforming Student Financial Aid to Increase College Completion
Financial incentives have positive effects on completing 30 credit hours.
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Sustain the Strategy
Implementation leaders should compile institutional implementation results and generate state reports focused on improved student outcomes. Explore the financial impact of reform and adjust organizational and budgetary policy to sustain the reform at scale. Engage with policy makers to codify effective reforms and to fortify needed changes.
Resources
Policies That Support 15 to Finish
Panelists share information about policies in Indiana that have strengthened 15 to Finish initiatives.
Sign up or Log in to add your rating.0Three Policies to Reduce Time to Degree
CCA/Postsecondary Analytics
Sign up or Log in to add your rating.0ADDITIONAL RESOURCES ►15 to Finish: Early Results and Lessons from Implementation
Complete College Georgia
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Support Community
Connect with Content Experts
Below are state and institutional leaders from around the country who have successfully implemented 15 to Finish. Use the form below to ask questions and receive expert guidance for your own implementation efforts.
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