By Charles Ansell and Michelle Dimino
It’s college commencement season and campuses from coast to coast are filled with the joy and promise of new graduates embarking on their next chapters. But just as important as celebrating these new graduates is recognizing who isn’t standing among them. Far too many students who start college—almost 4 in 10—don’t graduate.
Over the last decade, we have made significant strides in college completion. As one example, the on-time graduation rate for first-time, full-time community college students has nearly doubled in the past ten years. At the same time, current completion rates remain woefully inadequate. Economic projections show that by 2031, 72 percent of the U.S. population will need a postsecondary credential. Presently, only 54 percent hold such a credential—barely one in two, and a far cry from what experts tell us the labor market will need.
This progress is bolstered by even more substantial gains in college systems from Texas to Tennessee to New York City. By prioritizing student success reforms such as semester-by-semester academic plans, proactive advising, and eliminating prerequisite-driven remedial education, these systems have helped redefine the purpose of college. No longer is it enough to simply have students in seats; we must ensure they become successful alumni who reap the full benefits of their education.
Recent data show that bachelor’s degree enrollment has barely rebounded from the pandemic, during which enrollment levels nosedived, particularly at broad-access colleges. Community college enrollment nationwide is down a staggering 13 percent from Fall 2019 to Fall 2023—and we can’t graduate students who don’t start.
Concerns around declining enrollment and completion have been exacerbated by a new crisis this year after a well-intentioned effort to simplify the FAFSA submission process upended the financial aid process for millions of students nationwide. Though the updates will make FAFSA submission easier in years to come, this year’s problems have introduced new concerns about enrollment and graduation rates, especially at the two-year colleges and broad-access institutions that serve as engines of economic mobility for students from lower-income backgrounds.
In the short term, what can we all do to ensure that more students walk across the stage at commencement celebrations in 2025 and beyond?
First, we need to help spread the word about the importance of FAFSA completion and the major improvements coming to the FAFSA that will benefit students. Encourage local high schools and colleges to host FAFSA completion events or volunteer at existing events in your community.
The National College Attainment Network’s tracker shows that FAFSA completions—a metric many colleges use to predict enrollment levels—are currently about 20 percent lower than this time last year. While this gap has thankfully narrowed from 40 percent two months ago, it’s crucial that we close this year’s FAFSA submission gap by late August. The Department of Education’s $50 million short-term investment in support for students completing the FAFSA is a smart federal policy that will help boost enrollment, retention, and, ultimately, completion through FAFSA clinics and outreach to parents and students.
Second, urge your Congressional representatives to support and expand evidence-based federal programs like the Postsecondary Student Success Grants, as well as similar, proven programs, practices, and policies at the state level.
Nearly $100 million has been appropriated to the Postsecondary Student Success Grant program over the past three years, fueling innovative projects at 15 colleges in 10 states so far. In March, bipartisan members of Congress introduced legislation to permanently authorize this important grant program. A new Third Way poll found that 87% of American voters believe colleges can do more to get students to graduation, and three-quarters support federal funding for proven student success initiatives.
Finally, celebrate the college graduates in your life and let them know about the resources and support available to help them successfully transition into the workforce or further education. On May 28th, our organizations and many others in the higher education space will celebrate this year’s College Completion Day, a moment to reflect on and uplift graduates’ achievements.
By working together to implement proven policies and practices, we can ensure that many more Americans experience the transformative power of completing a college education. The success of our students and our nation depends on it.
Charles Ansell is Vice President for Research, Policy, and Advocacy at Complete College America (CCA) and Michelle Dimino is Director of Education at Third Way, and they are both celebrating this year’s annual College Completion Day on May 28, 2024.
