Success in college programs for students

Even if you’ve never had the opportunity to analyze your institution’s loan data to identify characteristics of defaulted borrowers, you probably know there is a direct relationship between student success and the incidence of loan default. Students who withdraw are more likely to default.

The more you help your students succeed in completing their programs of study and preparing for useful, meaningful employment, the more you will reduce your incidence of delinquencies and defaults. Here are a few ways to help them succeed:

• Offer an orientation session, or even a full course, for all new students.
  Cover topics such as:
  • study skills;
  • how to be successful (goal setting, evaluation, and motivation);
  • time management;
  • money management; and
  • resources on campus.
• Provide information about effective study skills and time management to students who re-enter school or who are on academic probation.
• Develop campus partnerships to identify and assist students who are at risk of withdrawing.

Mapping Your Future® offers the Success in College guide, to which you can refer students (prospective and current). The guide covers a variety of topics:

• Identify goals and priorities.
• Prepare academically for college.
• Prepare financially for college.
• Manage time.
• Practice good money management.
• Ask for advice, academic advisor.
• Get around roadblocks.

You can link to the online version or the printable guide (PDF).