The Urban Higher Education Ecosystem Solution

Urban Higher Education Ecosystem Challenges and Solutions THE PROBLEM THE CURRENT HIGHER EDUCATION SYSTEM ISN'T WORKING-AMERICA IS FALLING BEHIND. In 1990, the U.S. ranked first in the world in four-year degree attainment among 25-34 year olds. NOW, THE U.S. RANKS 12TH. 12 In 2012, 8.8 million students received a grant. The number of students 8 OUT OF 10 receiving Pell Grants has increased through of the universities That's 41.3% of all enrolling the highest the years. college students. percentages of low-income H Pell Grants assist students are undergraduates of located in low-income families urban areas. who are attending universities or Many low-income other secondary students go to school in urban areas. institutions. 7 in 10 people Only 1 in 10 people from high-income from families earn low-income a bachelor's families degree by do. age 25. By 2020, 65% of jobs will require postsecondary Median earnings for young adults working full time in 2013: $48,500 education and training Bachelor's degree beyond high school. $37,500 Associate's degree $30,000 High school diploma $23,900 No high school diploma A degree matters more than ever if you want to earn a living wage. Intertwined challenges -both on-campus and off- determine whether low-income students will graduate. Low-income and minority high schools have counselor-to-student ratios twice the national average. LOW-INCOME AVERAGE NATIONAL AVERAGE 78% of low-income youth do not complete a college-preparatory curriculum in high school. =100 STUDENTS THE DIFFICULTY OF On average, students take and pay for: TRANSFERRING CREDITS 136.5 credits for bachelor's degrees that is a major reason students stay in need only 120 college for so long. 80 credits for associate's degrees that need only 60 LOW-INCOME COMMUNITY COLLEGE STUDENTS are half as likely to successfully transfer and + 47% of bachelor's earners earn a bachelor's degree take at least one course as their higher-income peers at a community college Students in A 2015 survey of more than 4,000 undergraduates at 10 community colleges across the U.S. found: community colleges disproportionately face WORK, FAMILY, AND OTHER 50% 20% 13% COMPETING DUTIES outside of the classroom that make it difficult to STRUGGLE VWITH ARE ARE FOOD AND/OR HUNGRY HOMELESS complete their degree. HOUSING INSECURITY The number of students ages 19-24 receiving of Feeding America* households contain one or assistance from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) doubled from 18.7% ...... more adult students ................ 2001 to 2010. of Feeding America* households in 2014 30.5% 2001 2010 had to choose between food and education • Feeding America 5.4% 12.6% supports a nationwide network of food banks. CURRENT TRANSPORTATION SPENDING PROGRAMS do not equally benefit all communities and populations. » Many low-income students do not live on campus and need transportation to get to school. » 7.5 million households in » In the last 5 years, • PORTLAND the largest metro areas in many metro areas the U.S. do not have have increased NEW YORK access to a private transit fares, automobile. straining low-income ST LOUIS households. » In a study of low-income These include single mothers' college experiences, almost low finances, Most of these households earn lower incomes. an inability to one-third cited financial buy books difficulties as a hindrance to their education. and transit IH =1 million households problems. IN 2008, STUDENTS STUDENTS OF COLOR WITH CHILDREN are especially likely to balance parenting and college. COMPRISED 23% 37% African American OF TOTAL COLLEGE ENROLLEES. THAT'S 3.9 MILLION 33% Native American STUDENTS. + More than one-third of 25% Latino low-income and first-generation college students are parents. 22% Other/More than one race » Among low-income college students, adults with children are 25% less likely 20% Caucasian to complete a degree. 18% Asian/Pacific Islander The annual cost for How much do families spend on childcare? infant childcare center exceeds the average AVERAGE- INCOME 7.8% of monthly income cost of a year's tuition FAMILIES at most four-year public colleges. LOW- INCOME FAMILIES 52.7% of monthly income (with kids under the age of 5) MANY STUDENTS MUST FIT CLASSES AROUND WORK. of full-time community 22% college students are employed full-time of part-time community 41% college students are employed full-time of part-time college 80% students were employed between 2012 to 2014 Solutions THE U.S. NEEDS AN A WELL-FUNCTIONING ECOSYSTEM ALIGNED URBAN WOULD INCLUDE COORDINATION BETWEEN: ...................... HIGHER EDUCATION ...... ................• ECOSYSTEM THAT: V Puts students at the center K-12 SCHOOLS TWO-YEAR FOUR-YEAR GOVERNMENT V Connects and UNIVERSITIES UNIVERSITIES coordinates around their needs V Reduces silos and inefficiencies where efforts are duplicative PUBLIC SOCIAL SERVICES TRANSIT NONPROFITS THE BUSINESS PHILANTHROPY EDUCATION COMMUNITY NONPROFITS THIS URBAN HIGHER EDUCATION ECOSYSTEM WOULD OFFER: 1 FULL EDUCATION SYSTEM 5 PHILANTROPY V Guided pathways V Help set community agendas for college attainment connecting K-12 and higher ed institutions V Creatively repurpose scholarship programs to enhance reach and impact to careers V Comprehensive career and academic advising 6 SOCIAL SERVICE NONPROFITS at all levels V Childcare on or near campus 2 HIGHER EDUCATION V One-stop offices on campus INSTITUTIONS to help students access housing, childcare, social V Seamless transfer from two-year to services, and more four-year institutions V Food pantries and other supports to reduce V Flexible course schedules to support students with work or family obligations food insecurity V Ample on-campus work opportunities 7 EDUCATION NONPROFITS V Institution-wide focus on student success V Promote college access and attainment V Work together to leverage resources 3 GOVERNMENT V Resources and policies that 8. THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY promote college attainment V Flexible financial aid, V Flexible work hours and policies to support workers enrolled in higher education including emergency scholarships V Coordination with higher 4 PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION education institutions to ensure that curricula reflects V Accessible public transit connecting higher ed current and future local JOBS institutions to neighborhood and work centers workforce needs V Reduced fares for students THE HIGHER EDUCATION SYSTEM POSES A NUMBER OF OBSTACLES FOR LOW-INCOME URBAN STUDENTS OF ALL AGES. We need an integrated system that supports students and removes barriers hindering their ability to succeed in higher education, allowing them to learn, grow and graduate. aacc.nche.edu americanprogress.org apta.com archive.aacu.org brookings.edu ceosforcities.org cew.georgetown.edu citydividendprizechallenge.org citylab.com civilrights.org civilrightsproject.ucla.edu cleveland.com colleges.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com files.eric.ed.gov hechingerreport.org help.feedingamerica.org insidehighered.com luminafoundation.org nccp.org nces.ed.gov newsroom.ucla.edu opp.org pathways.gseis.ucla.edu theatlantic.com trends.collegeboard.org urban.org usatoday.com wihopelab.com whitehouse.gov Brought to you by: In partnership with: THE KRESGE FOUNDATION GHERGICH&Co. %24