Articles: Enrollment & Retention

AT LAST--AFTER SIX YEARS, three Congresses, and 14 extensions of the existing law, the House and Senate finally agreed to legislation reauthorizing the Higher Education Act, and in August President George W. Bush signed it.

PACKAGING FINANCIAL AID based on a “grid” that considers both need and quality is becoming more and more common as higher ed institutions attempt to target grants efficiently and effectively to achieve goals.

A DEFINITION OF STRATEGY that centers around the idea of “more”—we will serve more students, offer more programs, and be in more places—is highly likely to fail.

When I applied to colleges 40 years ago, I wrote letters to six schools and received a view book from each with a friendly cover letter, an invitation to visit the campus, an application, and a pointer to an alum or two who would be glad to sit down with me and discuss my future.

EVERY MONTH, IT SEEMS, WE HEAR OF ANOTHER institution deciding to make the SAT an optional part of the admissions process. Other schools combine SAT scores with a student's high school records to get a more rounded picture.

THE ADMISSIONS OFFICE IS THE FIRST STOP for any student entering a higher education institution.

IN THE WAKE OF LAST YEAR'S investigations into loan provider and financial aid office relationships, some campuses hesitate to recommend any lender for fear that they'll be perceived as steering business to certain lenders.