Removing Financial Barriers to Attracting, Retaining, and Successfully Graduating Students

College is a valuable investment of time, energy and money, with graduates typically earning $1 million more over their lifetimes than non-college graduates. Even so, half of all college students drop out.

National statistics show that students who drop out involuntarily due to any number of hardships—even for a single semester—have only a 30% chance of returning to earn their degrees. Reasons for dropping out vary, but the overwhelming cause is unmet financial need. This is especially true for low-income and first-generation students, many of whom juggle work and family commitments while attending school. In response, Cleveland State has developed a range of financial assistance vehicles and philanthropic opportunities aimed at attracting new students, maintaining student momentum, and keeping students enrolled until they graduate.

Student Attraction: Learn more about the 2-for-1 Tuition Promise.

Student Support: Learn more about Lift Up Vikes!

Student Graduation:Learn more about Last-Mile scholarships.

Cleveland State is committed to making college affordable and successful for all its students. Our Continuum of Student Success Support is just one of the ways we make that success possible.