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A student survey evaluates the social realities facing students with stranded credits, how they acquired stranded credits, and what colleges and universities can do to support them better. Key findings include:
- Students with stranded credits deemed eligible to re-enroll in the Ohio Compact need comprehensive social, academic, and financial assistance to support their ability to successfully obtain a credential. These supports, however, cannot occur in silos.
- Compact-eligible students recognize the merit of a degree for their intended career goals but are hampered by multiple barriers that can thwart their efforts to re-enroll. Assistance such as childcare, food pantries, housing support, or even on-the-go mental health services can help stopped-out students focus on their academic future.
- Flexibility in course modality and scheduling creates a sense of agency, meeting the needs of stopped-out students whose day-to-day may look vastly different than that of first-time students.
- Finally, financial support like emergency aid, grants, and debt forgiveness are critical to help students stay on track.