Education Reengagement: Investigating Some College, No Credential Students

Session Abstract: As enrollment concerns rise with the demographic cliff looming, institutions have looked to bring back students who stopped out of college without receiving a credential. Since 2022, the National Student Clearinghouse Research Center has reported annually on the demographic breakdown of the Some College, No Credential (SCNC) population, how many decide to return to postsecondary education, and success metrics for those who do. This presentation will focus on the most recent results for SCNC reengagement in the 2023–24 academic year and cover notable trends observed over the last three years. In addition to highlighting the demographic disparities that continue to persist among the SCNC population, the presentation will help inform campus administrators and policymakers about the specific needs of the SCNC population by examining how returning students interact with postsecondary education.

Keywords: reenrollment, completion, college stopouts

Contributing Authors: Allyson Gardner – Research Analyst, National Student Clearinghouse; Matthew Holsapple – Senior Research Director, National Student Clearinghouse; Douglas Shapiro – Vice President Research Center, National Student Clearinghouse