RESULTS OF 2003 FOLLOW-UP

Work has been completed on the 2003 Follow-up Report, tracking 974 scholarship recipients statewide. Of all students in the study, 676 remained in school at the end of the year and 156 had earned their degrees, diplomas or certificates. One hundred forty-eight discontinued their studies. These figures reveal an 85.4% retention and graduation rate, the highest ever in 14 years of following student progress. By contrast, the current average graduation rate among entering freshmen after 6 years in colleges and universities in Arkansas is 42.7%.

62% of those who earned their degree during 2003 were working. Among working graduates, 86% reported that they were earning salaries above the current poverty threshold.

The annual retention and graduation rate among SPSF recipients is an indication not only of the perseverance of students, but also of the effectiveness of their support network. Incentive scholarships, combined with encouragement and advocacy from our board members, have proven to be critically important to student performance. Without a supportive and nurturing community, many students would not remain in school. Our scholarships come with that extra ingredient of friendship so important to one's sense of self.