The Top 3 Benefits of Employing Students on Campus</a>
Ashley Kern Ashley Kern

The Top 3 Benefits of Employing Students on Campus

Many universities have significant budgets available for student employment. At SightLine, we view these resources as a great opportunity to engage with the students at your University and promote student success. University leaders may have questions regarding the positive or potentially negative effects that student employees may feel.

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SightLine Customers Announce Record Breaking Enrollments</a>
Ashley Kern Ashley Kern

SightLine Customers Announce Record Breaking Enrollments

Throughout 2021, the SightLine data science team worked with Arkansas Tech University and Grand Valley State University on student enrollment challenges, during a time of historical nationwide declining higher-ed enrollment. Both universities realized the need to convert to test optional or even test blind scholarship criteria. Commendably, both also prioritized supporting underserved students at their institution.

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Impactful Allocation of Performance Based Scholarships</a>
Ashley Kern Ashley Kern

Impactful Allocation of Performance Based Scholarships

Performance based scholarships aim to reduce reliance on loans and provide incentives for academic success. This is particularly true for students identified as at-risk of dropping out. There are a variety of risk factors specific to each student and institution. This makes leveraging data essential to award these critical scholarships to the individuals who will capitalize on the opportunity.

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Targeting Supplemental Aid During the Spring to Boost Fall Enrollment</a>
Ashley Kern Ashley Kern

Targeting Supplemental Aid During the Spring to Boost Fall Enrollment

As the VP of Enrollment or Director of Financial Aid, you may gain a better idea of the size and caliber of your incoming student class as the enrollment season progresses. At this time of year (spring through early summer) you may feel pretty confident about application progress and the number of deposits your institution is receiving, but there is always room to improve. On the other hand, your institution may be tracking a little behind expectations. But it is not too late to make some targeted adjustments to get back on track or even exceed enrollment goals. 

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The Impact of Tuition Resets</a>
Ashley Kern Ashley Kern

The Impact of Tuition Resets

During Fall 2022, enrollment declined by 1.1% compared to Fall 2021 enrollment numbers. This is closer to the pre-pandemic enrollment declines that were expected, although these results were certainly not desired. First year freshman enrollment declined in all four-year sectors ranging from highly selective private institutions to public flagship universities. This continual decline has led more colleges and universities than ever to consider or implement a price freeze or a complete tuition reset.

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How Colleges Can Boost Enrollment with Smarter Financial Aid Strategies
Ashley Kern Ashley Kern

How Colleges Can Boost Enrollment with Smarter Financial Aid Strategies

Many colleges and universities struggle to communicate the value of their academic programs to students and families. This can be attributed to not quantifying and promoting return on investment, student price sensitivity, and overly complicated cost and scholarship structures. SightLine and Meadow partner to address affordability concerns and value concerns to enroll more students.

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How the Student Voice Can Inform University Brand
Ashley Kern Ashley Kern

How the Student Voice Can Inform University Brand

College students have many different day-to-day experiences ranging from interactions with professors, to doing their laundry in residence halls. Hopefully most experiences are positive, but inevitably there will be some negative experiences that can leave lasting impressions on college life in general. It is important for higher ed leaders to understand the perceptions and experiences, both good and bad, of college students to better serve them.

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Navigating the Storm: Economic Cycles and  Demographic </a>Cliffs
Ashley Kern Ashley Kern

Navigating the Storm: Economic Cycles and Demographic Cliffs

Higher education is facing a perfect storm, as various economic factors, demographic shifts, and institutional challenges converge to create a complex landscape for colleges and universities. In this article, we will explore the dynamics of the converging economic cycles, the impending student demographic cliff, and the resulting enrollment and tuition pricing crisis in higher education.

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The Top 4 Issues We See on College Financial Aid Websites</a>
Ashley Kern Ashley Kern

The Top 4 Issues We See on College Financial Aid Websites

Clear communication on university financial aid pages is paramount for ensuring education affordability and accessibility. These pages serve as crucial gateways for students seeking information about available financial assistance, scholarships, grants, and loans. In a landscape where the cost of education continues to rise, affordability and easily comprehensible content on financial aid pages empowers prospective and current students to make informed decisions about their academic pursuits.

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8 Key Takeaways: FAFSA Simplification Survey Results</a>
Ashley Kern Ashley Kern

8 Key Takeaways: FAFSA Simplification Survey Results

To get a better understanding of what challenges are stemming from the FAFSA Simplification Act, we polled enrollment, financial aid, and budgeting leaders from colleges and universities across the country. The results are in, representing every geographic region, institution type, and size. We see some key trends and challenges emerging.

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Three Ways Price  Transparency Increases Access to Education</a>
Ashley Kern Ashley Kern

Three Ways Price Transparency Increases Access to Education

Access to higher education is a cornerstone of individual growth and societal progress. In recent years, initiatives aimed at increasing price transparency and improving scholarship access have emerged as key factors in boosting college enrollment rates. This article explores how these measures contribute to breaking down financial barriers, empowering prospective students, and fostering a more inclusive educational landscape.

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Reflecting on Fall 2023 Enrollment: Insights for Enrollment Leaders</a>
Ashley Kern Ashley Kern

Reflecting on Fall 2023 Enrollment: Insights for Enrollment Leaders

Now that fall enrollment numbers are in, it is imperative for enrollment leaders to reflect on their goals, recognize their success, and identify areas for improvement. In this article, we will explore areas of improvement and highlight potential ideas to test out in the coming years.

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