Can a cash stipend help free college programs succeed? B-James Paterson, Education Dive

Free college initiatives are significantly more effective when accompanied by non-tuition financial incentives and other support, according to new research from consulting firm MDRC that looks at one such program in Detroit. Retention, full-time enrollment and credit accumulation rose when students in the Detroit Promise free college program were offered extra support through a "Path" program. That included a $50 monthly stipend via gift card in exchange for meeting with coaches, as well as encouragement to take summer classes or participate in a summer jobs program. In their first year, Path students earned 1.7% more credits on average than students who just got the Promise scholarship — a 25% increase — and 2.4% more credits by the end of second year, according to MDRC, which helped develop the Detroit initiative. Additionally, the program contributed a few percentage points to full-time enrollment. https://www.educationdive.com/news/can-a-cash-stipend-help-free-college-programs-succeed/553631/