Stay on Track for Your Degree

Why should I graduate on time?

Did you know that traditionally, an associate’s degree has been referred to as a 2-year degree and bachelor’s degrees as 4- year degrees? Unfortunately, an increasing number of students are taking more time to graduate with their degree. The 2 and 4 – year degrees have become the 3 and 5 year degrees. Every year that a student spends in college, the total cost of their degree increases because of additional student fees. Additionally, taking more time to finish delays the student’s entry to the workforce to start earning money in their career.

With public colleges and universities requiring (60) and (120) credit hours to attain an associate’s and bachelor's degree, completing 15 credit hours per semester is required to graduate on time and saves students and their parents additional costs for tuition, fees, housing, and meal plans.  The University System of Georgia has introduce several programs to help students save money and time, so they finish on-time. Graduating on time means students can begin working and accumulating wealth earlier. By finishing on time, students have more options: more career opportunities, competitive salaries, better benefits and security. Earning a degree pays, and earning it faster means making more money over the span of one's career.

• By 2020, 60 percent of jobs will require a career certificate or college degree.
• Currently, only 42 percent of Georgia adults have an Associate’s degree or higher.
• There is a 27 percent skills gap for Georgia residents.
• Students, parents, and public financial aid programs end up paying more for a degree when students have to enroll in more semesters.
• Students lose out on a year of employment and income if they have to spend an additional year in school.
• Fewer students can be served by institutions with limited capacity—advising, parking, dormitories, etc.
• Dropout rates are higher for students who take fewer credits.

(Complete College America, 2013)