In fall of 2019, we will fully implement a new model for all first-year students and anticipate the fee for a full-time student to be $300 per semester, far less than the typical cost of books. This fee will include Cengage Unlimited and loaned books or other open source or faculty-developed resources. For the part-time student, the fee is pro-rated based on number of credits taken.
This model leads us to an all-inclusive pricing model, by program, to help entering students plan for funding the completion of a program without surprises. Courses also include fees for tools of the trade in technical programs, again to assure no surprises when the student begins their program. An example would be knives for the culinary student or mechanics tools for the auto program and uniforms for nursing and health programs.
The rhetoric on Capitol Hill and in the media around affordability represents a lack of understanding of what the “cost of education” really is. With 50 percent of undergraduates attending two-year colleges and that population representing the highest level of financial need among all college students, the lack of understanding of college cost hurts the ability of these students to access funds needed to succeed. For two-year college students the cost of housing, meals, transportation, childcare, care of a family and lack of assistance from anyone is not considered in the cost of education. These students also forgo employment to be in school, further contributing to their negative financial position. This is the true cost of attending college.
SMZ: Will a focus on affordability always degrade quality in learning? What role does technology play in ensuring quality?
Young: Focusing on affordability does not degrade quality. We have an obligation to continually improve operations that help reduce overhead and, in the process, use technology and design of programming to improve learning. Start with why we are focusing on something, fill in the blank. Second, look at what we want to see as a result, and third, how solutions, including technology, our processes, and policies impact our outcomes. Living in a continuous-quality-improvement mindset and with the political will to try new ways of doing business, including the will to stop doing things that do not work, are the keys to achieving highest affordability and quality standards.
SMZ: What are you doing to increase affordability at Hocking College? What recommendations would you give to your peers and fellow institutional leaders?
Young: Creating an all-inclusive pricing model so there are no surprises for the student will assure students have the learning materials and tools of their trade to be successful in their program of study. With the number of institutions and delivery models available today, access is more about cost than it is about location. A prospective student receives a one-page document with all courses, course fees, and associated costs clearly presented. Hocking College is a residential campus and a similar document is provided for those living on campus, fully disclosing all housing costs.
Armed with total cost information, students can approach their financial aid packaging with a valid plan for paying for college which may include a work requirement. Hocking College administers the federal work-study program and in addition provides campus-work-study opportunities of $1 million annually. This program is intended to assist the student in paying in balance owed, as well as teaching students workplace skills needed for successful careers. Skills such as arriving at the workstation on time, giving your best effort while at work, and building successful workplace relationships with supervisors and co-workers.
All-inclusive pricing, financial aid packaging, work requirements and other innovative strategies will assure the student is fully funded and the institution does not struggle with unpaid accounts negatively affecting budgets.
Shannon Moore-Zuffoletto is vice president for marketing, institutional and career, at Cengage Learning.
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