Fiscal Highlights - July 2014

The State Board of Regents recently awarded Completion Grants to each of the eight institutions in the Utah System of Higher Education, designed to improve graduation rates.  The institutions' programs focus on one the following five completion strategies, as approved by the State Board of Regents in its July 2013 meeting:

• Establishing 15 credit hours as the standard for a full-time course load;

• Setting plateau tuition;
• Creating Degree maps;
• Providing support for students' success in math; and
• Implementing reverse transfer or stackable credentials.

Completion grants, ranging from $18,000 to $40,000, and requiring a 100% match, were awarded to the following institutions:

• Utah State University -- Stackable Credentials (Identify students who have completed requirements for an AA or AS and award the degree; invite students who have some completed requirements to return to finish): $40,000.
• University of Utah -- 15 to Finish (block scheduling for general education requirements) and Math Success (math tutoring): $39,500.
• Weber State University -- Degree Maps (Implement Smart Graduation Planner app): $37,968.
• Southern Utah University -- Math Success (Double capacity in College Connections, which is required for students who are provisionally accepted): $40,000.
• Utah Valley University -- 15 to Finish and Degree Maps (Implement College Scheduler to facilitate schedule options and registration): $40,000.
• Snow College -- Math Success (Emphasize completion and success in developmental math so students will finish college math in two semesters): $17,986.
• Dixie State University -- 15 to Finish, Degree Maps, and Math Success (Expand peer mentoring): $40,000.
• Salt Lake Community College -- Degree Maps and Stackable Credentials (Emphasize Certificate of Completion when earned while in pursuit of a degree in the School of Technical Specialties): $28,000.

Funding for the Completion Grants was from the College Readiness Assessment bill (S.B. 286, 2012 General Session).