Conversing With Kalamazoo Promise Scholars: An Inquiry Into the Beliefs, Motivations, and Experiences of Tuition-Free College Students. (February 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Collier, Daniel A.; Parnther, Ceceilia
• Is Part Of: Journal of college student retention. Volume 22:Number 4(2021:Feb.)
• Page Start: 572
• Page End: 596
• Publication Date: 2021-02
• Subjects: tuition-free -- student motivation -- Kalamazoo promise -- student persistence -- thematic analysis; College dropouts -- Periodicals; College dropouts -- Prevention -- Periodicals; College attendance -- Periodicals; 378.16913
• DOI: 10.1177/1521025118774561
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1521-0251

Abstract

This qualitative inquiry explores students' ( N =20) perceptions of Kalamazoo Promise (KPromise), how perceptions influence student motivation, and by what means students are covering remaining costs. Responses indicated deep appreciation of KPromise, built through community efforts. Perceptions of KPromise have developed into strong motivation to perform and in times of underperformance drove guilt. As KPromise scholars assume uncovered costs, most are doing so via work. Half of the participants possess student loan debt, mostly to pay for larger up-front costs or emergencies. KPromise students still expeience financial distress; however, when put into context with non-Promise peers, these students recognize how KPromise eases such. Discussion centers on using this research in giving voice to students within tuition-free discourse and in helping institutional stakeholders better understand tuition-free students' experiences.