1. Structure, Impacts & Outcomes
Promise Programs
Structure, Impacts & Outcomes
Butte College
Office of Planning, Research, and Organizational Development
Prepared by Emelia Michels-Ratliff
1/9/2017

2. Introduction & Background
What is a Promise Program?
Promise Programs are scholarships / support programs that are place- based in nature, made in “promise” to their local communities
Tend to be long term in nature (1, 2 years or full tuition programs exist)
Generally grassroots programs, locally funded
Highly varied in structure and eligibility rules

3. Program Structure Student Eligibility: Post-Secondary Options:
Most Promise Programs can be categorized according to how they determine eligibility of students and where Promise funding can be used.
Student Eligibility:
Universal: All students are eligible
Targeted: Income or merit requirements exist
Post-Secondary Options:
Expansive: Funding may be used at many different schools
Restrictive: Funding may only be used at one school
While all program types have seen positive results, universal eligibility programs have seen the most robust outcomes.

4. Addressing A Need
“A Promise program will lead to community change only if it is widely used. Every condition or criterion added to the terms of a scholarship reduces the number of students who can use it and, hence, reduces its potential impact as a transformative tool.” – Michelle Miller Adams, Promise Nation: Transforming Communities through Place-Based Scholarships (2015)
Promise Programs have the potential to achieve a variety of outcomes, but level of success depends on what goals are set and how structure is established with a most critical need in mind.
Commonly cited overarching goals include:
Increasing college access among students who experience financial or support barriers
Increasing college-going culture, awareness, and preparation
Local economic and community development through increased investment in future workforce

5. Outcomes
Because very few Promise Programs were launched prior to 2010, the amount of longitudinal data is small.
However, while Promise Programs vary in their approaches, overall outcomes have been positive.
The following slides display summary and highlighted outcomes by category from some of the oldest programs nationwide, as well as in California.

6. K-12 Impacts The Kalamazoo Promise
The Kalamazoo Promise was launched in 2005 in Kalamazoo, Michigan
It guaranteed scholarships to all KPS students enrolled 4+ years (at least all of high school)
Between 2005 and 2013 KPS schools enrollment grew 24%
Most growth is due to greater retention
The HS dropout rate across California is 11.6%. In Butte and Glenn counties this rate is slightly lower than the average, at around 10%. (
Source: Hershbein (2015)

7. K-12 Impacts The Kalamazoo Promise
Days in Suspension decreased across all students after the Promise was announced and some students discovered they were eligible
Among African American students, the Promise also brought a measurable lift in GPA
It is notable that the Kalamazoo Promise carries no merit requirements, such as attendance or HS GPA minimums
Source: Bartik and Lachowska (2015)

8. College Enrollment The Kalamazoo Promise
Estimated increased chance of KPS student enrolling:
At any college: 14%
At a 4-year college: 34%
Cumulative units attempted increased by 15%
Source: Bartik, Hershbein, and Lachowska (2015)

9. College Enrollment Say Yes to Education - Buffalo:
Launched in 2012, Say Yes to Education in Buffalo, NY is similar to the Kalamazoo Promise, but it is a last dollar scholarship
This means that other financial aid, such as federal grants, is awarded first, and the Promise pays remaining need
12th grade to college matriculation increased post launch:
Increase of 5-6% over non-promise years
Gains largest at 2-year colleges
Source: Bifulco, Rubenstein, Sohn, and Murchie (2016)

10. Persistence Ventura College Promise
First established Promise Program at a CCC
Promise is last dollar, one year
Tuition & fees only
Higher rates of persistence for Promise students compared to non-Promise students
One year persistence was 13 pp higher
Source: Ventura College Office of Research and Evaluation (2012)

11. Completion & Performance
Kalamazoo Promise
Completion gains in Kalamazoo after the Promise rose dramatically six years after inception:
~ A 25% increase in all award types
~ A 33% increase in Bachelor’s degrees
Source: Bartik, Hershbein, and Lachowska (2015)

12. Completion & Performance
2009 Promise cohort:
Ventura College Promise
Comparing similar cohorts:
Ventura Promise students took more units than non- Promise students
More Ventura Promise students earned degrees than non-Promise students
More Ventura Promise students earned certificates than non-Promise students
Ventura Promise students had slightly lower GPAs than non-Promise students, but the difference was not significant
2012 Promise cohort:
Source: Ventura College Office of Research and Evaluation (2012)

13. Completion & Performance
Long Beach College Promise
Promise launched in 2008
Promise students outperform similar cohorts of non-Promise students in completion of English and math milestones
The Long Beach Promise Pathways combines monetary support with academic support in the form of:
Multiple Measures placement
Required full time enrollment
Required enrollment in foundational coursework
Source: LBCC Office of Institutional Effectiveness (2014)

14. Equity Impacts Ventura College Promise
By subgroup at Ventura College, more Promise participants are:
Non-White
Female
Low or Middle Income
VC Promise students earning awards:
Majority are low or Middle Income
Larger percentages of non-White students
Source: Ventura College Office of Research and Evaluation (2012)

15. Community Impacts Multiple Promise areas
Study of 8 Promise Program zones using ACS migration data (1% U.S. sample)
Promise Program areas showed large reductions in out-migration, particularly for families with children
In Kalamazoo:
Inferred 1% increase in property values
Inferred 1.7% boost to local labor market & employment
Source: Bartik and Southerland (2015)

16. Growth in California
There are now over 20 Promise Programs at California’s Community Colleges!
The majority of these programs:
Are last dollar, after BOG and PELL
Offer one year of support
Many aim to eventually offer two years
Offer some type of additional support, such as fee payment or vouchers for books
Are universal in eligibility
Are restrictive and may be used at only one campus
Aim to offer not only monetary support, but increased access to academic supports such as counseling or early college tours
For additional info:

17. Developing a Butte College Promise
Area Student Eligibility & Need:
Approximately new students within the local service area each year
Between 70-75% of these students complete a FAFSA
Of those who file a FAFSA:
Approximately 90% are awarded a BOG fee waiver & pay no tuition
Between 60-70% are also awarded a PELL grant to help with additional costs
Around 10% receive no aid
Example costs not covered by BOG fee waivers:
estimated cost of books & supplies at Butte College: $896 / semester
fees for full time enrollment: $132 / semester

18. Developing a Butte College Promise
Proposed Butte College Promise Eligibility:
Be a recent HS graduate from Butte or Glenn County OR a recent HS graduate and Reg2Go participant
Complete an application through CCCApply and enroll at Butte College
Enroll in the fall semester immediately following high school completion
Complete a FAFSA and BOG fee waiver application, or a CA Dream Act application
Complete a Butte College Promise application
Complete assessment, orientation and academic advising with a Comprehensive Student Educational Plan
Enroll at least full time (12+ units) for the duration of the award
Attend Butte College without interruption to receive funding for the duration of the award
Remain in good academic standing at Butte College (GPA at or above 2.0)

19. Butte College Promise: Three Options
1 Year, Last Dollar:
Tuition & Fees only
Expected Eligibility:
Students with no aid- full promise (100+)
BOG only students (200+) –
fees only
Total Students: 300+
Anticipated Annual Cost:
$108,000 / Year
Option 2
1 Year, Last Dollar:
Tuition/Fees, $500 Books
Expected Eligibility:
Students with no aid- full promise (100+)
BOG only students (200+) –
fees only
BOG + PELL students (700+) – $500 book voucher
Total Students: 1000+
Anticipated Annual Cost:
$365,000 / Year
Option 3
2 Years, Last Dollar:
Tuition/Fees, $500 Books
Expected Eligibility:
Students with no aid- full promise (100+)
BOG only students (200+) – fees only
BOG + PELL students (700+) – $500 book voucher
Total Students: 1000+
Anticipated Annual Cost:
$615,000 / Year