Purdue ranks top in state by meeting new financial aid goals to help students graduate on time
February 3, 2015
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — Purdue University was recognized for leading Indiana schools in meeting new financial aid reforms that help low-income students stay on track to graduate on time.
Purdue leads three of the four categories in an Indiana Commission for Higher Education report, which was issued Jan. 28. The report shows that double-digit progress has been made in the percentage of Indiana college students enrolled and completing the minimum number of courses to graduate on time for 2013-14. These changes went into effect when Indiana adopted financial aid reform in 2013. The student-friendly reforms were adopted to improve graduation rates and lower college debt.
“Purdue leading in these metrics affirms that we are the destination for affordability, accessibility and value,” Purdue President Mitch Daniels said. “Student support and supplemental programming to help students on their path to graduate on time are priorities at Purdue. The various faculty and staff throughout the Purdue system deserve credit for the difference they are making and their ongoing efforts.”
The majority of Indiana financial aid is distributed through the state’s largest programs: the Frank O’Bannon grant and the 21st Century Scholars Program. Both state programs are designed to help students from low-income families achieve a college education and to do so in four years. New legislation requires that the recipients of these grants complete at least 30 credits each year in order to renew their aid for the following year at the same level. Thirty credits each year is the minimum required to graduate in four years.
Purdue ranked No. 1 in three categories: 21st Century Scholars Completing 30+ Credits, at 69.1 percent; O’Bannon Recipients Enrolled in 30+ Credits, at 80.5 percent; and O’Bannon Recipients Completing 30+Credits, at 58 percent. Purdue also ranked No. 2 in 21st Century Scholars Enrolled in 30+ Credits, at 89.5 percent.
Purdue University Calumet and Indiana University-Purdue University Fort Wayne also were recognized as the Most Improved Colleges from 2012-13 to 2013-14 for the following:
* 21st Century Scholars Enrolled in 30+ Credits; No. 3, IPFW (+39.6 percent)
* 21st Century Scholars Completing 30+ Credits; No. 1, IPFW (+26.7 percent)
* O’Bannon Recipients Enrolled in 30+ Credits, No. 3, IPFW (+16 percent)
* O’Bannon Recipients Completing 30+Credits, No. 2, Calumet (+12.7 percent)
Writer: Amy Patterson Neubert, 765-494-9723, apatterson@purdue.edu
Related website:
More Hoosier college students on track to graduate following recent state financial aid reforms: http://www.in.gov/che/files/150128_RELEASE_-_HEA_1348_report.pdf
