A college degree in four years--guaranteed

March 27, 9:48 AMCollege Admissions ExaminerLauren Starkey

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Green Mountain College in Poultney, Vermont is the latest school to announce an innovative strategy aimed at curbing the soaring costs of higher education. The specific issue it addresses is the growing number of students who can’t get a degree in four years, and who must pay for a fifth or even sixth year of college.

At Green Mountain, if a student maintains at least a 2.0 average, takes at least 15 credits each semester, and meets regularly with his or her advisor, courses taken beyond four years toward a degree will be free.

 Barmak Nassirian, associate executive director of the American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers blames inadequate advising for the rise in five- and six-year degrees. “Students bounce around because of bad advising. Good advising is hard work—one foot in administration, one foot in academics.”

Green Mountain’s dean of enrollment management, Sandy Bartholomew says the college’s Four Year Guarantee is “an expression of faith in our advisory system.” Bartholomew added that advisors can help students get focused. Those who enter college without a clear plan can end up taking many courses that don’t apply to their degree and then need semesters beyond the typical eight to complete a course of study.

With the guarantee, Green Mountain is joining the ranks of a growing number of schools nationwide, including the University of Nebraska, Birmingham-Southern College, University of the Pacific, and University of Southern Virginia.