Strengthening Student Success with Non-Academic Supports

Posted by Working Poor Families Project on June 22, 2015

More Supports Needed for “Non-Traditional” College Students

Student success is a top priority of community colleges today but most academic reform efforts are currently geared toward traditional full-time students, according to a new policy brief by The Working Poor Families Project. Strengthening Student Success with Non-Academic Supports: The Role of State Policy suggests that more supports should be targeted to low-income adults at community colleges, especially student parents and first-generation students. These “non-traditional” students often face multiple financial, developmental, and social barriers to completing college. The brief offers a four-part framework of non-academic supports and services, including state policy recommendations for integrating these approaches into community college success efforts. Supports include a robust financial aid system and connecting students to public benefits and career development services.

http://www.workingpoorfamilies.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/WPFP-Spring-2015-Brief.pdf