Holistic Support in Higher Ed: Why Non-Traditional Students Need More Than Just Financial Aid
Non-traditional students—including adult learners, student parents, veterans, and first-generation college-goers—face compounding challenges that go well beyond tuition costs. Upswing's 2024 Ana Insights Report highlights that while most students intend to complete the FAFSA, many also need support with basic needs like food, housing, and utilities. Declining student confidence signals that financial aid alone is insufficient to drive retention and completion.
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Key takeaways
Nearly nine in ten non-traditional students intended to complete a FAFSA, yet many simultaneously sought help with food, housing, and bill payments.
Student confidence in completing their degree is declining, pointing to unmet holistic support needs beyond financial aid.
Institutions must broaden their student success strategies to address basic needs, mental health, and wraparound services for non-traditional populations.
Non-traditional students—adult learners, student parents, veterans, and first-generation college-goers—are carrying heavier burdens than ever. Upswing’s 2024 Ana Insights Report found that nearly nine in ten students intended to complete a FAFSA application, while many also sought help with essentials like food, housing, and bill payments. Perhaps most concerning, students expressed declining confidence in higher education’s promise of upward mobility, reflecting mounting doubts about whether the investment is truly worth it.
How can colleges and universities adapt their support models to meet these urgent student needs—while sustaining retention and completion rates in uncertain times?
On this episode of signals in higher ed, host Darin Francis, CEO & Managing Partner at Harbinger Lane Consulting, sits down with Laurie Koehler, Principal and Founder of Koehler Consulting, and Melvin Hines, CEO & Co-Founder of Upswing Retention. Together, they explore the findings of Upswing’s latest Ana Insights Report and examine how institutions can deliver holistic, student-centered support that goes beyond the classroom.
The main topics of conversation…
- Financial Stability as a Fulcrum: Nearly 50% of students flagged financial aid as their top concern, underscoring the need for institutions to think creatively about scholarships, work-study, and community-based resources.
- Early Intervention & Mental Health: Data show students thrive when institutions act proactively. Examples like North Carolina A&T highlight how early alerts and 24/7 teletherapy can prevent attrition and support mental well-being.
- Breaking Down Silos: From career services integration to campus resource referrals, holistic student support requires dismantling institutional barriers and rethinking how colleges connect students to both internal and external resources.
Laurie Koehler is a seasoned higher education leader and consultant specializing in enrollment management, student success, and institutional strategy. She has held senior executive roles at Ithaca College, George Washington University, Bryn Mawr College, and others, where she oversaw admissions, financial aid, retention initiatives, and marketing, and led the creation of award-winning brand and student success strategies. Through Koehler Consulting, she now advises institutions nationwide on enrollment strategy, leadership development, and organizational change, with a strong focus on diversity, equity, and inclusion.
Melvin Hines is the CEO and Co-Founder of Upswing, a student engagement and retention platform that supports hundreds of thousands of nontraditional students nationwide. With over a decade of experience leading Upswing, he has become a recognized advocate for student success, leveraging technology to address challenges in access, persistence, and holistic support in higher education. His earlier career spans roles in research, strategy consulting, and legal education, equipping him with a diverse background that informs his innovative approach to educational equity and retention.
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About the author
With 20 years of experience at the intersection of higher education and edtech, Darin Francis brings a wealth of knowledge and a deep passion for driving meaningful change in the sector. Having led teams, crafted go-to-market (GTM) strategies, and worked closely with institutions, Darin is uniquely positioned to help edtech companies navigate the complexities of U.S. and Canadian higher education. Darin Francis, based in Detroit, MI, US, is currently a Managing Partner and CEO at Harbinger Lane Consulting.
