The Rand report
Connecting College Students to Alternative Sources of Support
Connecting College Students to Alternative Sources of Support
Single Stop is proud to share the results of an independent study by the RAND Corporation!
Higher education in the United States faces challenges surrounding low rates of degree completion, particularly among low-income populations. Students face unmet financial needs and a lack of support in such critical areas as transportation and child care that can deter their chances for success in college. This report examines the effectiveness of a program that aims to improve college success by facilitating access to wraparound supports and alternative sources of financial resources.
Highlights
- The study found that Single Stop clients are more successful in college than their peers who do not utilize the organization’s services. At the colleges with statistically significant findings, Single Stop users were 6% – 11% more likely to persist into their next year of college. In addition, students who use Single Stop are more likely to attempt more college credits, giving them a boost in completing their college programs.
- Together, these findings suggest that having a “one-stop shop” for nonacademic wraparound services and alternative sources of financial support for low-income students can play a valuable role in promoting student success in college.
- Moreover, students can benefit from an office that assesses student needs, directs students to available resources, assists with application processes, and brings valuable services to campus, such as public benefits and free tax services.
- These collective positive results are supported by a second independent evaluation conducted by Metis, that released interim results this fall and is scheduled for completion in Spring 2018.
Key Findings
- Single Stop use was associated with increased college persistence, meaning that students are more likely to return to college for another semester, or the following year, if they take advantage of Single Stop services. At the college campuses with statistically significant results, outcomes were very positive, ranging from 6% – 14% greater fall to spring semester persistence, and 6% – 11% greater one-year persistence than demographically similar students who don’t use Single Stop. Across all students in the study, Single Stop users were at least 3% more likely to persist into their second and third semesters of college.
- Single Stop users attempted more credits than comparable students who did not use Single Stop.
- Use of Single Stop’s tax assistance services was associated with particularly positive outcomes in terms of persistence and credits earned.
- Findings were particularly positive for Single Stop users who were adult learners (age 25 and older), independent students, and nonwhite students.
