As higher education institutions across the nation move to boost enrollment and graduation, Texas is rolling out an unusual program this month aimed at achieving both goals.
“It’s a statement to the families of Texas,” says Jeff Kilgore, vice chancellor of the 10-campus TSTC System with some 15,000 students. “We are interested in your interest,” says Kilgore, asserting the new push is simple and works for the state of citizens who participate.
The new effort helps TSTC respond to the “debt crisis” many students face, Kilgore says. “A lot of families are looking at the ROI (return on investment),” he adds. Students can walk out with $10,000 of tuition debt and a 90-percent placement rate, he says.
“We don’t anticipate significant liability,” Kilgore says confidently.
The program pays tuition costs only and provides for reimbursing lenders.
The “Money-Back Guarantee” program, which has two phases, says students who enroll in one of five specific associate degree programs and complete the Get-A-Job classes spread over two years of degree studies are eligible for a full refund of tuition if they do not get a job in six months.
