A research institute out of New York, MDRC, recently conducted
research through its "Open Doors" grant program. Unlike other need-based college access programs, "Open Doors" includes a performance-based component, requiring students to obtain a "C" average in courses and be enrolled at least part-time. The study found that these Louisiana community college students stayed in school longer, achieved more credits, and earned higher GPAs.
While this specific program is designed for community college students, the concept could be transferred to higher education. While some merit-based scholarship programs may consider need, why not include some performance standards for need-based financial aid?
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3 comments:
Sounds fair to me. Need-based scholarships are given to allow students to graduate with a degree and skills. I'm not saying a student with a D average his/her first semester can't go on to graduate with overall good grades, but we can probably weed out those who can't or won't successfully appeal.
I agree; if need-based students perform at a level below a "C" average, it does not seem fair that they should be "rewarded" monitarily in the form of grant scholarships. I understand that there may be unusual circumstances where students may fall behind for one semester; perhaps in this case, like academic probation, if these need-based students perform at a "D" or lower average, they can be placed on a 1-semester grant-scholarship probation, meaning that they would be allowed the following semester to improve or else would be removed immediately from the program.
College itself requires a 2.0 average to stay enrolled. You're on probation for a semester, then you're kicked out if you don't bring up your grades.
So need-based scholarships don't have to say this. Community colleges in Maryland refuse outright any financial aid for you if you're on probation, which again takes care of the situation.
Maybe Louisiana's education system is just trying to get to Maryland's level, which is one of the highest in the country and the world.
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