University of Kentucky Rakes in the Dough with Hobsons

When University of Kentucky (http://www.uky.edu) (UK) administrators chose to invest in Hobsons Student Retention Solutions (http://www.hobsons-us.com/retention), they knew they were getting a proven product that produces results fast. They never could have imagined, however, that they would re-enroll upwards of 200 former students, potentially equating to more than $1 million in tuition returns within the first months of using Hobsons' EMT Retain service.

"This administration is serious about keeping our students and making sure they get through to graduation," said Nikki Tarrant-Hoskins, UK's Director of Retention and Student Success. "Our partnership with Hobsons has made it easy to communicate with students that have dropped out or are at-risk."

Hobsons has helped UK, a public university of more than 27,000 students, streamline its student retention by channeling information from the admissions, financial aid, bursar and registration offices into a web-based program, identifying students who are on the brink or have already left school and sending targeted communication to help them overcome their particular roadblocks. UK has risen to this initiative through the joint efforts of many offices across campus. Advisors, staff, and administrators have all worked toward one goal--reducing attrition at UK.

"Our Hobsons representative showed us how to contact hundreds of lapsed students," Tarrant-Hoskins said. "We've informed them about a new piece of legislation that allows $2,000 more per year in financial aid for undergraduates and have urged them to take advantage of a streamlined re-admission protocol. These incentives have led to the re-enrollment of over 200 students to our institution."

Hobsons' retention program helps prevent student attrition by enabling school advisors and administrators to monitor student progress and communicate issues of concern to students before it's too late to improve. Instead of relying on midterm grades to convey progress, for example, the program can direct students to an advisor or tutor long before any official grades are reported, greatly increasing their chance of success. UK can also use the program to let students know about any upcoming changes to financial aid and help them avoid the funding panic that often leads to dropout, especially for freshmen.

"What UK has done with our product is truly remarkable," explained Craig Heldman, president of Hobsons U.S. "Their success shows that communication is key in the school-student relationship, and Hobsons has helped UK keep the lines open."

About Hobsons

Headquartered in Cincinnati, Ohio, Hobsons U.S. partners with colleges and universities to enhance and empower institutions' enrollment and admissions efforts. Through domestic, international, and graduate publishing products for students, as well as Web sites and enrollment technology solutions for schools, Hobsons helps colleges and universities to elevate their enrollment strategies efficiently, effectively, and easily. Hobsons U.S. is the U.S. division of Hobsons Global, which is the leading provider of global education and careers information, services, and research. For more information, please visit www.hobsons-us.com.

University of Kentucky Rakes in the Dough with Hobsons

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University of Kentucky Rakes in the Dough with Hobsons

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