Assessed whether the Student Diversity Program (SDP) at Cal State Fullerton increased retention, examining graduation rates and ending grade point averages (GPAs) of students and matched controls in four cohorts. Found that SDP students graduated at twice the rate of comparable students after 5 years, although GPAs were not different. (EV)

Analyzed the effects of family income and financial aid on college students' persistence at Iona College, New York. Institutional data on family demographics, academic achievement, and financial variables indicated that financial aid did not significantly affect persistence. Although students from families with greater incomes tended to persist,…

The effectiveness of a mentoring program for 53 at-risk college students was investigated. The results indicated that the mentoring intervention had a positive impact on retention and grade point averages for this student cohort. (EV)

Presents an alternative college admission model that may afford protection from controversy over admission selectivity, yet maintain a reasonable degree of variability in predicting students' future academic success. The model links prospective students' grade point averages, rank in class, and a district performance index or similar predictor,…

Examined relationships between high school grade point average, American College Testing (ACT) scores, Stafford loan eligibility, total scholarship award, and persistence of 191 fine arts students eligible for merit scholarships at a city university. Merit scholarships were a positive predictor of retention, whereas Stafford loan eligibility was a…

A study of 81 female graduate students over age 30 at a large urban research university investigated their experiences, problems, and demographics. Results indicate that variables important to persistence are marital status, quality of student/student and student/faculty interactions, and grade point average. Policy implications and possible…