In 2023, Sallie Mae underscored its commitment to closing the college completion gap with a $1 million research endowment to Delaware State University (DSU). The grant supports a “Persistence and Completion Pilot Program,” that identifies and studies barriers to degree completion, helps students return to school, and develops policy recommendations and best practices so students can re-engage at institutions across the country. To date, the program has re-enrolled 213 students — nearly half of them first-generation college students.

This is important work. The number of students who have some college experience, but no degree, is over 40 million. Approximately 3 million are “near completers” who have stopped out mere credits away from degree completion.

Two near completer students — Nataniel (Tannie) Speaks and Chris Kearney — are proof of what’s possible when students get the right support at the right time.

After earning an associate degree, Tannie hoped to continue her education — but full-time work and raising two children put that goal on hold. Years later, she learned about the near completer program and re-enrolled at DSU. Five months later, she earned her bachelor’s degree.

“I still get chills and tears just thinking about it,” she said.

Chris’ journey also spanned decades. He first enrolled at DSU in 2000 with plans to earn a history degree, but stepped away in 2005 to support his growing family. A decade later, when his mother was diagnosed with breast cancer, Chris was determined to finish school for her. But after her passing, he once again put his education on hold.

In 2022, Chris felt a renewed urgency. “I’d reached a certain point in my career path where I felt the need to have my degree completed,” he said. “I thought it would complete me more holistically and professionally.”

In 2023, he graduated with a degree in liberal studies — this time, with his wife, siblings, and children cheering him on. “It felt like I was showing and giving examples to my children about fortitude and perseverance, about how sometimes when life happens, you can transcend, you can overcome and you can change the trajectory of your life for the better,” Chris said.

For Tannie, the impact of earning her degree was immediate.

“I want everybody—kids, young people, old people—to know that it’s never too late to finish your education,” Tannie said. “It’s a second chance at making something new.”

“Reach out to Sallie Mae. They have resources, they have things at their disposal to help encourage you to come back, and not only encourage you to come back, help you see this through to the end of your journey, ” Chris said. “You can do it. You have the wherewithal. You have the grit. Get it done.”

Sallie Mae is committed to supporting college completion. Too many students leave school just a few credits shy of a degree — often due to financial strain or personal circumstances. In fact, our 2024 “How America Completes College” report found that nearly half of non-completer said financial challenges played a role n their decision to leave school. Through programs like the “Persistence and Completion Pilot Program” at Delaware State University — and our “Completing the Dream Scholarship” — we’re helping remove barriers and support more students from dream to degree.