This document provides findings on the retention rates and academic performance of first-time freshmen enrolled in the Freshman Inquiry course at Portland State University from 2007 to 2009. It highlights the impact of students' high school GPA, financial concerns, and living arrangements on their retention and academic success. The findings suggest that students with lower GPAs and those who are more financially concerned face greater challenges in retention and performance, prompting initiatives for enhanced support and resources.

1. Freshman Inquiry Retention Updated Findings Updated FindingsSukhwant Jhaj, Rowanna CarpenterUniversity StudiesPortland State UniversityJanuary 13, 2011

2. Evolving Assessment StructurePrior Learning Survey--Student background characteristics--Student rating of academic skills--Student current life situation End of Year Survey--Course evaluation--Academic Plans--SatisfactionE-Portfolio Assessment--Student learning re: UNST goals

3. Evolving Assessment StructurePrior Learning SurveyEnd of Year SurveyE-Portfolio AssessmentUniversity Student Data Warehouse - Student Retention - Academic Performance, Fin. Aid

4. Focus on First-Time Freshmen in FRINQ2708 Freshmen

5. 1274 Fall 2007, 1434 Fall 2008, 1440 Fall 2009

6. Enrolled in a FRINQ course Fall term

7. Includes both full-time and part-time students

8. NOT

9. Honors, Liberal Studies, Pre-nursing or others not required to take UNST

10. 3458 completed the Prior Learning Survey

11. 83.4% response rateStudent Success

13. Presentation FocusData AnalysisFall 2007, 2008, 2009 cohorts analyzed together

14. Data from SINQ Groups of InterestFreshmen with entering HS GPAs below 3.0

15. Freshmen who indicate finances as a top concern

16. Freshmen living with parents compared with those living on campus or on their own

17. Low Entering High School GPAStudents who enter PSU with a high school GPA below 3.0 make up about 29% of FRINQ students each year.

18. Students who have high school GPA below 3.0 tended to have lower retention and academic success than groups with high school GPAs above 3.0.

19. Term GPA almost 1 point lower than those with HS GPAs above 3.5

20. Earn approximately 2-3 fewer credits per term

21. More likely to be on academic warningFRINQ First-Time Freshmen* Retention at PSU Fall 2007, Fall 2008, Fall 2009

22. Financial ResourcesThere appeared to be no difference in retention based on income status (Pell Grant and other need-based aid eligible v. Not eligible)

23. Students who report finances as a top concern tended to have a lower retention rate than those who reported academics as a top concern.FRINQ First-Time Freshmen* Retention at PSU Fall 2007-Fall 2008

24. OUS: Average Unmet Need by Campus

25. Exploring Financial ConcernNew survey questions – Fall 2010(Input from: Dee Wendler, Eric Blumenthal, Jackie Balzer, Philip Rogers, James Ofsink, Becki Ingersoll)Financial Resources

26. Understanding of financial aid process

27. Confidence about paying for school

28. Level of concernFall 2010 DataFreshmen enrolled in FRINQ1202 respondents (86% response rate)Students enrolled in SINQ1110 respondents (52% response rate)Top Concern by UNST Level

29. FRINQ Financial ResourcesStudents with financial concern pay for school with more types of resources (own money, grants, loans)

30. Students with other concerns have more access to family resourcesSINQ Financial ResourcesStudents with financial concern are more likely to rely on loans

31. Both groups rely equally on their own resources