Overall, more than half of statewide Promise programs made changes to program components in response to COVID-19. Of the 15 programs that made changes, we found 11 programs adjusted eligibility requirements, with many relaxing requirements to maintain access and others imposing additional eligibility requirements in response to budget cuts. Of the programs that adjusted eligibility requirements, most sought to maintain or expand access for students to account for challenges during the coronavirus pandemic.
State of Promise Programs During COVID-19
Date: April 2021
Related Publications
![The report explores the impact of race-specific state higher education funding policies in Minnesota, New Jersey, and North Carolina. It examines how these policies aim to dismantle racial inequities by directing resources toward Black, Latinx, and Indigenous students and the institutions that serve them. The research highlights the challenges and successes of outcomes-based funding and tuition discount programs in addressing racial disparities in college access and success. It emphasizes the importance of prioritizing equity at both the student and institutional levels. Key findings include the positive impact of race-explicit metrics in funding formulas. These metrics have demonstrably steered resources toward under-resourced students and institutions serving diverse populations. However, the report also acknowledges the difficulties faced by Minority-Serving institutions and HBCUs when competing for funds under zero-sum models that limit overall resources. Additionally, the study explores the potential consequences of Promise programs on neighboring states, highlighting concerns about enrollment shifts and the need to consider the impact on community colleges. The recommendations emerging from the research urge policymakers to consider the full ecosystem of postsecondary institutions when designing funding initiatives, ensuring that funding programs are additive rather than overlapping to maximize outcomes. The report also emphasizes the importance of supporting additional costs of college in Promise programs to promote equity for students affected by systemic barriers. Furthermore, funding basic needs support and conducting needs assessments are recommended to ensure that initiatives effectively address pertinent needs and promote student success. More research is needed. The report suggests following the implementation of initiatives in North Carolina and Minnesota to assess their impact on racial disparities in completion. It also highlights the need to examine how institutions adjust their selection of optional metrics in outcomes-based funding formulas to better support marginalized student populations. Additionally, the study points toward the importance of exploring the intersection of outcomes-based funding and Promise programs to understand their implications on institutional funding and student success in higher education.](https://www.researchforaction.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/examining-effectiveness-race-specific-funding-strategies-higher-ed.jpg)
Publication
Examining the Effectiveness of Race-Specific Funding Strategies in Higher Education
Kri Burkander, Shafiqua Little, Mycaeri Atkinson
![](https://www.researchforaction.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/for-the-good-of-the-city-catto-evaluation2.jpg)
Publication
“For the Good of the City” An Early Evaluation of the Catto Scholarship
Kri Burkander, Karin Gegenheimer, Alita Robinson
![](https://www.researchforaction.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/examining-the-impact-implementation-cost-effectiveness-completion-coaching-promise.jpg)
Publication
Examining the Impact, Implementation, and Cost Effectiveness of Completion Coaching in a Statewide College Promise Program
Dae Y. Kim, Karin Gegenheimer
![Top 5 Insights from RFA's Community Research Partnership](https://www.researchforaction.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/becoming-a-community-engaged-research-organization-top-five-insights-report-from-rfa-community-partnership_Page_01-720x720.jpg)
Publication
Top 5 Insights from RFA’s Community Research Partnership: Becoming a Community-Engaged Research Organization
Kate Callahan, Saxon Nelson
![](https://www.researchforaction.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/alctoolkitsqArtboard-1-720x720.png)
Publication
All Learning Counts Policy Toolkit
Virginia Hunter, Victoria Ballerini, Daniel Kent, Shanell Hagood, Montrell Sanders, Matthew Rigsby
Publication
State of Student Success Funding During COVID-19
Daniel Kent, Kasey Meehan
![](https://www.researchforaction.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/rfa-researchupdateArtboard-1-720x720.png)
Publication
Research Update : Increasing college access, affordability, and success among Dallas County Promise participants
![](https://www.researchforaction.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/RFAUndocumentedStudentsandPromise2020-FINAL-01-1.png)
Publication
Promise Programs: An Avenue to Expand College Affordability, Access and Success for Undocumented Students
Victoria Ballerini
![](https://www.researchforaction.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/RFA-TIE-cover-540x540-2.jpg)
Publication
Driving Awareness, Inclusion, and Integration for Racial Equity in Postsecondary Education
Kasey Meehan, Victoria Ballerini, Shanell Hagood
![](https://www.researchforaction.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/1379.RFA_Lessons_from_Tennessee_V6-003-01-1.png)
Publication
Developing a Statewide College Completion Agenda: Lessons From Tennessee
Kasey Meehan, Daniel Kent
![](https://www.researchforaction.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/RFA-designing-equitable-promise-programs-final-cover-540x540-1.png)
Publication
Designing Equitable Promise Programs: Research-based Considerations for State Policymakers
Kate Callahan, Kasey Meehan, Shanell Hagood
![](https://www.researchforaction.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/RFA-Balancing-Affordability-Access-and-Success-Dec-2019-FINAL-v2-1-01-1.png)
Publication
Statewide College Promise Programs: Balancing Affordability, Access, and Student Success
Kri Burkander, Kate Callahan, Victoria Ballerini, Shanell Hagood