USU PROGRAM GUARANTEES THAT STUDENTS GRADUATE IN FOUR YEARS

As lawmakers and higher education officials alike look for ways to tighten their budget belts, a new program at Utah State University promises to save money for both university students and the state.

The Graduation Guarantee Program is designed to help students who sign up for the program to graduate in the shortest time possible, saving money for students and for the university too, said Utah State Provost Stan Albrecht.

“By reducing the time it takes the average student to graduate, students will cut costs and the university will save money too,” Albrecht said.

Students in the program sign a contract to follow a Contract Course Plan, a semester-by-semester outline of courses designed to get them to graduate in four years. If the student follows the plan but still does not graduate, Utah State University promises to pay all tuition and fees past the planned graduation time.

Dozens of university programs of study are already participating, and the list is constantly being updated, Albrecht said.

“Our advisers will work closely with each of these students to guarantee their success,” he said.

Albrecht said that, on average, a student at Utah State typically graduates in about five years now.

Utah State President Kermit L. Hall said these kinds of programs are an effort by the university to help both students already stressed by increasing tuition costs and the university, which has been hit hard with budget cuts.

“In these tight budget times, we are looking at every option that might make the cost of education more affordable,” Hall said. “This program helps our students and it helps the university too.”