Being Proactive about Student Retention

College Admissions, Financial Aid and Billing Office Questions to Consider

For students enrolling for college effective July 1, 2026, the student loan limits have been changed from the current amounts available. To prepare for these changes college administrators should consider reviewing the following questions and the resulting data.

What percentage of the freshman admitted students accept our offer of admission?

What is our percentage of freshman admitted students enrollment yield rate?

How many of our Federal Pell Grant eligible students are on a payment plan?

What is the average per semester payment plan amount for our Federal Pell Grant eligible students?

What is the average per semester payment plan for students who are not awarded a Federal Pell Grant?

How many parents are currently utilizing the Federal Plus Loan? What is the average amount borrowed?

What is the number of parents and students borrowing from private student loans? What is the average amount of the loan?

What is the freshman student retention rate for their sophomore, junior and senior year?

What are the top five reasons students do not return to the institution? EXAMPLES: No longer in a specialized major, not accepted to a competitive program like nursing, financial issues and/or academic difficulties.

What financial gaps does the institution see as potential challenges based upon Federal loan borrowing changes?

Based upon a review of all this data, how can institutional scholarships impact our enrollment, retention and student success objectives?

By Kenneth McGhee, Financial Aid and Enrollment Management Consultant