In this session at the 2025 Transfer Convening at UNC-Charlotte, the Adult Learner Re-Engagement team, Ithaka S+R’s Liz Looker and Jonathan Barefield, will present findings from research in North Carolina.

We partnered with the UNC System Office and individual institutions to conduct mixed methods research on institutional debt and administrative holds for stopped out students in the state. Specifically, we found that the vast majority of stopped out students owe less than $2,000, and that existing hold policies have disproportionately negative effects on Black or African American, male, and low-income students. We will present both quantitative and qualitative data and tie our findings back to the issues affecting students who want to transfer or re-enroll at their home institution to complete their degrees. We will also present potential return-on-investment for a debt relief and re-enrollment strategy.

The session will take place on February 5 at 9:15-10:00am ET.