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Tag: enrollment

  • Five things to know about the Affordable Care Act enhanced subsidies

    The cost of health insurance is set to surge for millions of Americans under the Affordable Care Act at the start of the new year without the extension of expanded tax credits.The expanded subsidies were at the center of the 42-day government shutdown that ended in November. Now just days away from the new year, premiums are set to increase without an extension or resolution from Congress.The Get the Facts Data Team analyzed and aggregated statistics to know ahead of the rise in premiums in the new year.Premiums could rise on average 114%Premiums would more than double if the tax subsidies were to expire, according to an analysis from KFF. In addition to the potential ending of the subsidies, insurance rates are projected to rise across marketplace plans and employer-provided insurance.A one-person household with an annual income of $25,000 – a little more than 1.5 times the federal poverty level – is estimated to go from paying a maximum $100 out of pocket annually to $1,168.They would pay a maximum of less than $98 a month — 10 times more than the previous payment of less than $9 a month.The interactive below shows how the maximum out-of-pocket rates for benchmark plans may change if expanded subsidies expire for one, two and four-person households at various incomes. Estimates were calculated using maximum out-of-pocket rates from KFF published by the IRS, along with 2025 federal poverty level data from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services for the 48 contiguous states plus D.C.The tool is not intended to calculate an individual’s actual payments. Healthcare.gov and other state marketplaces are the best source for specific premium costs.People closer to retirement age or with higher incomes could see the largest impactOnce the expanded tax credits expire at the end of this year, the out-of-pocket maximums will increase across the board, and people making above four times the poverty level will become ineligible for any tax credits.More than 6.7% of those who were enrolled in ACA plans earned more than 400% of the federal poverty level, accounting for 1.6 million people. Once the subsidies expire, these enrollees would no longer qualify for the subsidies under the ACA.Also heavily impacted are people approaching retirement age. The age group with the highest enrollment in marketplace plans is ages 55 to 64, data shows.KFF estimated in March that about half the enrollees who would lose the tax credit upon expiration are between 50 and 64.Premiums for individuals closer to retirement age and making more than 400% of the federal poverty level would also increase more compared to younger enrollees. Take a 30-year-old, a 45-year-old, and a 60-year-old earning $62,756 in a single household – 401% of the poverty level.Without the tax credits, the 30-year-old would see a $110 jump in the monthly premium for a silver plan, according to KFF’s ACA Enhanced Premium Tax Credit calculator. The 60-year-old would see an $881-per-month increase without the enhanced subsidies.24 million people are enrolled in plans under the Affordable Care ActThe subsidies are utilized by about 92% of the 24 million people enrolled in marketplace plans under the ACA, according to data from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.These expanded credits allow households of different sizes and income levels to be capped with maximum out-of-pocket costs.From 2020 to 2025, enrollment more than doubled as a result of expanded tax credits in the American Rescue Plan Act in 2021, which increased the subsidies and lifted a cap that disqualified people making four times the poverty level or more from being eligible for the subsidies.Under 2025 guidelines for the 48 contiguous states and Washington, D.C., the federal poverty level is $15,650 for a one-person household. At 400%, it’s $62,600.Six states have more than tripled in ACA enrollees since 2020There was a widespread increase in enrollment across states in the past five years.The six states that have more than tripled in enrollees since 2020 are Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, Tennessee, Texas and West Virginia. There were 14 states that more than doubled in enrollment. Just three places — including Washington, D.C. — declined in enrollment, according to data from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.Expired subsidies take effect Jan. 1Even though new insurance premiums would take effect in the new year, a retroactive extension could be passed in 2026.However, it would be complicated and would continue to grow more complicated over time, according to KFF. More enrollees may drop insurance in the meantime. In a KFF survey, a quarter of enrollees indicated they would go without health insurance if the cost of current coverage doubled. About a third said they’d look for a lower premium plan.PHNjcmlwdCB0eXBlPSJ0ZXh0L2phdmFzY3JpcHQiPiFmdW5jdGlvbigpeyJ1c2Ugc3RyaWN0Ijt3aW5kb3cuYWRkRXZlbnRMaXN0ZW5lcigibWVzc2FnZSIsKGZ1bmN0aW9uKGUpe2lmKHZvaWQgMCE9PWUuZGF0YVsiZGF0YXdyYXBwZXItaGVpZ2h0Il0pe3ZhciB0PWRvY3VtZW50LnF1ZXJ5U2VsZWN0b3JBbGwoImlmcmFtZSIpO2Zvcih2YXIgYSBpbiBlLmRhdGFbImRhdGF3cmFwcGVyLWhlaWdodCJdKWZvcih2YXIgcj0wO3I8dC5sZW5ndGg7cisrKXtpZih0W3JdLmNvbnRlbnRXaW5kb3c9PT1lLnNvdXJjZSl0W3JdLnN0eWxlLmhlaWdodD1lLmRhdGFbImRhdGF3cmFwcGVyLWhlaWdodCJdW2FdKyJweCJ9fX0pKX0oKTs8L3NjcmlwdD4=

    WASHINGTON —

    The cost of health insurance is set to surge for millions of Americans under the Affordable Care Act at the start of the new year without the extension of expanded tax credits.

    The expanded subsidies were at the center of the 42-day government shutdown that ended in November. Now just days away from the new year, premiums are set to increase without an extension or resolution from Congress.

    The Get the Facts Data Team analyzed and aggregated statistics to know ahead of the rise in premiums in the new year.

    Premiums could rise on average 114%

    Premiums would more than double if the tax subsidies were to expire, according to an analysis from KFF.

    In addition to the potential ending of the subsidies, insurance rates are projected to rise across marketplace plans and employer-provided insurance.

    A one-person household with an annual income of $25,000 – a little more than 1.5 times the federal poverty level – is estimated to go from paying a maximum $100 out of pocket annually to $1,168.

    They would pay a maximum of less than $98 a month — 10 times more than the previous payment of less than $9 a month.

    The interactive below shows how the maximum out-of-pocket rates for benchmark plans may change if expanded subsidies expire for one, two and four-person households at various incomes. Estimates were calculated using maximum out-of-pocket rates from KFF published by the IRS, along with 2025 federal poverty level data from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services for the 48 contiguous states plus D.C.

    The tool is not intended to calculate an individual’s actual payments. Healthcare.gov and other state marketplaces are the best source for specific premium costs.

    People closer to retirement age or with higher incomes could see the largest impact

    Once the expanded tax credits expire at the end of this year, the out-of-pocket maximums will increase across the board, and people making above four times the poverty level will become ineligible for any tax credits.

    More than 6.7% of those who were enrolled in ACA plans earned more than 400% of the federal poverty level, accounting for 1.6 million people. Once the subsidies expire, these enrollees would no longer qualify for the subsidies under the ACA.

    Also heavily impacted are people approaching retirement age. The age group with the highest enrollment in marketplace plans is ages 55 to 64, data shows.

    KFF estimated in March that about half the enrollees who would lose the tax credit upon expiration are between 50 and 64.

    Premiums for individuals closer to retirement age and making more than 400% of the federal poverty level would also increase more compared to younger enrollees. Take a 30-year-old, a 45-year-old, and a 60-year-old earning $62,756 in a single household – 401% of the poverty level.

    Without the tax credits, the 30-year-old would see a $110 jump in the monthly premium for a silver plan, according to KFF’s ACA Enhanced Premium Tax Credit calculator.

    The 60-year-old would see an $881-per-month increase without the enhanced subsidies.

    24 million people are enrolled in plans under the Affordable Care Act

    The subsidies are utilized by about 92% of the 24 million people enrolled in marketplace plans under the ACA, according to data from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.

    These expanded credits allow households of different sizes and income levels to be capped with maximum out-of-pocket costs.

    From 2020 to 2025, enrollment more than doubled as a result of expanded tax credits in the American Rescue Plan Act in 2021, which increased the subsidies and lifted a cap that disqualified people making four times the poverty level or more from being eligible for the subsidies.

    Under 2025 guidelines for the 48 contiguous states and Washington, D.C., the federal poverty level is $15,650 for a one-person household. At 400%, it’s $62,600.

    Six states have more than tripled in ACA enrollees since 2020

    There was a widespread increase in enrollment across states in the past five years.

    The six states that have more than tripled in enrollees since 2020 are Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, Tennessee, Texas and West Virginia. There were 14 states that more than doubled in enrollment.

    Just three places — including Washington, D.C. — declined in enrollment, according to data from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.

    Expired subsidies take effect Jan. 1

    Even though new insurance premiums would take effect in the new year, a retroactive extension could be passed in 2026.

    However, it would be complicated and would continue to grow more complicated over time, according to KFF.

    More enrollees may drop insurance in the meantime. In a KFF survey, a quarter of enrollees indicated they would go without health insurance if the cost of current coverage doubled. About a third said they’d look for a lower premium plan.

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  • TCU is rolling out an ambitious enrollment campaign. How big will it be?

    Students return to Texas Christian University campus for the first day of class on Monday, Aug. 19, 2024, in Fort Worth.

    Students return to Texas Christian University campus for the first day of class on Monday, Aug. 19, 2024, in Fort Worth.


    Amanda McCoy

    amccoy@star-telegram.com

    When Coleton Power applied to TCU as a senior in high school, he attended a live stream hosted by the university to learn more about the school. The stream was designed to answer questions from prospective students to help them make their college decision easier.

    That call, and the insight shared by Heath Einstein, the vice provost for enrollment management, sealed the deal for Power. He knew TCU was where he wanted to spend the next four years of his life.

    “[Einstein] gave probably the best possible pitch as to why students should want to go to TCU,” said Power, now a junior.

    Three years later, Einstein leads an ambitious campaign to substantially increase enrollment. He and his team are assigned with reaching goal of growing enrollment to about 18,000 undergraduate students by 2035. By increasing its student body, TCU hopes to become the premier research institution in Texas and improve its national reputation.

    The enrollment campaign is part of a broader strategic plan called Lead On: Values in Action. Outlined in that plan is a specific campus master plan that includes adding 25 buildings, including dorms, classrooms, parking garages and sports facilities that will be needed to accommodate a student body increase of several thousand.

    Enrollment Strategies

    TCU’s enrollment has already grown by 23% in the last 10 years — from just more than 10,000 in 2015-16 to almost 13,000 today. The enrollment bump also includes the freshman class of 2,754, the largest single class in TCU’s 151-year history.

    “We have various enrollment campaigns that reach students and parents and high school counselors and alumni,” Einstein said in an interview with the Star-Telegram. “We’re really trying to broaden our audience little by little.”

    The most important part of a successful enrollment campaign is meeting students where they are, Einstein said. TCU has six members of its enrollment team stationed across the country to reach prospective students in every part of the nation. Those recruiters are based in northern California, southern California, Houston, Atlanta, Chicago and western Massachusetts. Over 14% of TCU students are from California, 5.1% are from Illinois, 1.9% are from Georgia and just over 1% are from Massachusetts, according to university data.

    The enrollment team has also prioritized digital advertising and messaging, as well as building relationships with those considering attending the university before they even step foot on campus.

    “We try to be reflective of the town that we’re in,” Einstein said. “People here are just so authentic and warm, and we want to bring that authenticity and warmth to our prospective students through our various enrollment campaigns.”

    Another way TCU has been able to grow enrollment is by revisiting its application process and identifying how many students started filling out an application but didn’t finish. Some of those students forgot to fill out a final question, didn’t check every box or just forgot they started filling out the application in the first place, said Dean of Admission Mandy Castro.

    “There were thousands of students in that pile,” Castro said. “We looked internally at what we could do to facilitate that process and there were a couple specific questions on the application that, with advice from our Common App partners, they were like, ‘If you remove this, I think that you’ll find more completion rate.’”

    TCU has been able to defy a national trend of declining enrollment. The messaging from Einstein and his team allows for them to “cut through the noise” because it appeals to so many people in a variety of different ways, he said.

    College enrollment numbers have rebounded in recent years but are still not as high as they were before the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2018-19, there were 22.1 million undergraduate college students in the country. That number was as high as 23.7 million in 2014. Now, there are just under 21 million undergraduate college students in the U.S., according to the National Center for Education Statistics.

    But TCU has been able to mitigate that trend throughout its new aggressive enrollment campaign. Einstein and his team believe now is the perfect time to expand enrollment to heights the university has never seen because TCU is more desirable as a college than it has ever been.

    “Demand for a Texas Christian University education continues to rise,” Chancellor Daniel W. Pullin wrote in a statement to the Star-Telegram. “This growth reflects intentional choices we’ve made as a university to increase the TCU academic and campus experience while thoughtfully growing the number of Horned Frogs who will become leaders in their fields.”

    Acceptance rates still dropping

    TCU has been able to carry out its enrollment campaign without sacrificing its competitive acceptance rate. Although overall enrollment numbers are rapidly growing, the school’s undergraduate acceptance rate is dropping.

    In 2021, 10,606 of the 19,782 students who applied were accepted — just more than 53%. In 2024, the most recent enrollment numbers available in the university’s common data set, just 44.5% of applications were accepted.

    TCU is aiming to increase enrollment by 3% in each of the next few years — a number that mirrors organic application growth in recent admission cycles. Instead of sacrificing its competitive enrollment rate, the university is able to admit more students within an already growing pull of applicants, Castro said.

    “When applications were already growing by that much per year, that told us that we were already in a pretty good market position to be able to find some more qualified students, and by allowing us to admit more, we just have so many more yeses that we can give to incoming students,” Castro said.

    Campus expansion

    TCU has nine freshman dorms for around 5,000 students living on campus — a number that will need to increase as the university attempts to grow their freshman enrollment numbers a little bit each year over the next decade. TCU requires students to live on campus during their first two years at the school to keep the university from becoming a “commuter school.”

    “If you don’t have the right order of operations, you actually could mess things up,” Einstein said. “We currently do not have the housing in place that would allow us to support more students in a way that we currently do. We already have construction underway, and we’ll have several new buildings opening in fall 2027 which aligns with sort of the anticipated spike of first-year students.”

    The school’s campus master plan will also focus on improving academic facilities, medical innovation, sense of place, athletic facilities, revitalizing Berry Street, connecting the university to the Trinity River and improving the east portion of campus.

    Amid TCU’s push to expand its student body have also been multiple tuition increases, pushing the total cost of attending the school for eight semesters up to over $300,000 before scholarships and other financial aid opportunities. That number includes tuition, room and board and fees.

    The admissions team understands TCU may not be in every family’s budget, and acknowledged it had to part ways with some prospective students because of that. But admissions leadership has still been able to grow enrollment despite that. “Sometimes the fiscal decisions do have to be made,” Castro said. “But for somebody who is looking for a great college experience, TCU is a great investment that you know you get a good return on. We have a wonderful alumni base that extends from east and west and north to south, and they tell our story about how TCU is a great place to be.”

    Samuel O’Neal

    Fort Worth Star-Telegram

    Samuel O’Neal is a local news reporter at the Fort Worth Star-Telegram. He joined the team in December 2025 after previously working as a staff writer at the Philadelphia Inquirer. He graduated from Temple University in Philadelphia where he served for a year as the Editor-in-Chief of the university’s student-run newspaper, The Temple News. 

    Samuel O’Neal

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  • Overall enrollment at Pennsylvania’s state universities increases for the first time in over 10 years

    Pennsylvania’s state universities reported the first system-wide enrollment increase in over a decade and its highest-ever student retention rate. 

    Seven of the 10 schools in the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education, including West Chester University and Cheyney University, saw a rise in their student populations. Enrollment in the network has been at a steady decline since 2010, when it had 119,513 students. That figure fell all the way to 82,509 last year before the slight increase to 83,000 this fall. Meanwhile, the percentage of students in the system returning for a second year reached a record 81%.

    MORE: SEPTA’s City Hall Station is getting a face lift ahead of America’s 250th birthday celebrations

    “We are proud that Pennsylvania students are choosing PASSHE universities,” Cynthia Shapira, chair of the PASSHE Board of Governors, said in a statement. “These enrollment gains and record-setting retention rates demonstrate the value, affordability and career relevance of PASSHE education across the Commonwealth.” 

    Cheyney University, a historically Black college whose campus spans Chester and Delaware counties, went from 617 students last fall to 851 this year — a spike attributed to a 144% increase in freshman enrollment. West Chester University is the largest school in the network, with more than 3,000 first-year students, 1,040 transfers and a total population of around 17,400 this fall.

    PASSHE said the number of students transferring from a state community college increased by 14.3%, and 22% of students in its network identify as an underrepresented minority.

    But PASSHE is expecting a drop-off in high school graduates next fall, which could challenge future enrollment numbers.

    “We are focused on providing high-quality, affordable education that prepares students for real opportunities after graduation,” Chancellor Christopher Fiorentino said in a statement. “Pennsylvania needs more skilled workers in health care, STEM, business and education, and our universities are helping meet that demand. Our graduates are making a difference in communities and contributing to the strength of the state’s economy.” 

    In July, PASSHE introduced a pilot program that would increase students’ access to specialized or advanced courses by allowing them to take classes from other schools in the network at their home campus. 

    Tuesday’s announcement comes four months after the PASSHE raised tuition by $278 — the first increase since 2018. Three years ago, six schools merged into two regional campuses in an attempt to reverse declining enrollment.

    Molly McVety

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  • Salem College Sees Third Consecutive Year of Record-Breaking Enrollment Growth

    Salem College Sees Third Consecutive Year of Record-Breaking Enrollment Growth


    WINSTON-SALEM, N.C., September 16, 2024 (Newswire.com)
    –
    Salem College announced today record growth in enrollment numbers surpassing past trends in institutional history. This fall, Salem continues its upward trajectory with the second consecutive year of total undergraduate enrollment growth at the college. Salem’s total undergraduate enrollment grew by 10% in Fall 2024.

    Total undergraduate enrollment is buoyed by 174 new undergraduates enrolled for Fall 2025, including the Class of 2028 with 137 first-year students from 19 states and 11 countries. The Class of 2028 is academically qualified with an average high school GPA of 3.89. With the Class of 2028, Salem College continues its commitment to diversity and college access with 57% of Salem College’s new students being first-generation, and 48% of the incoming class are Black, Indigenous, and people of color. Consistent with the college’s focus on health leadership, the majority of new students plan to major in STEM and health-related majors, followed by art, design, and business. Salem also enrolled the largest number of new transfer students in its institutional history.

    “Given the unprecedented and challenging year for college admissions due to the delayed FAFSA rollout and shifting demographics across the nation, these results for Salem College are truly remarkable and due in large part to the dedication of Salem’s faculty and staff, particularly its stellar admissions and financial aid teams,” Salem College Vice President for Enrollment Management Matt Munsey said.

    In February, the 253-year-old institution reported seeing an increase in applications for the fall, its third consecutive record-breaking year in application growth. Salem attributes its distinctive focus as being America’s only health leadership college as a key factor to recent enrollment success.

    Asked to explain the key reasons for Salem’s continued growth, Salem’s President Summer McGee points to several distinguishing features that set Salem apart. “Salem continues to demonstrate the value and importance of being a distinctive college in a competitive higher education landscape. We have a specific niche and a clear institutional identity that resonates with prospective students and families. Our students are drawn to our focus on health leadership and our commitment to developing the whole person through a unique approach to a liberal arts education.”

    Salem is the only liberal arts college in the nation with an exclusive focus on health leadership. Salem expanded its national reach by partnering with major national corporations to offer new internships in health and career opportunities for its students, created new articulation agreements with colleges and universities around the nation, and launched an annual health leadership forum, bringing some of the nation’s top women health leaders to Salem’s campus to share current trends and leadership lessons in health. 

    For more information about Salem College, visit salem.edu.

    Source: Salem College

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  • California State University system sees unprecedented decline in enrollment

    California State University system sees unprecedented decline in enrollment

    (FOX40.COM) — The California State University system is experiencing an unprecedented decline in the number of students enrolled in its programs.

    According to the most recent enrollment report from California State University (CSU), enrollment has dropped by nearly 6% since 2019. That means there are about 28,000 fewer students enrolled in a CSU.

    The CSU system is the nation’s largest four-year public education university system and includes 23 universities and seven off-campus centers. Although CSU enrollment is trending on the decline, California is not alone.

    According to the Education Data Initiative, college enrollment statistics indicate that more Americans are forgoing higher education; “some may be putting off college attendance to build savings.”

    From 2010 (enrollment peak) until 2023, enrollment has declined 9.8% nationwide, according to educationdata.org. The rate of enrollment among new high school graduates has also declined by 7.3% year over year.

    Veronica Catlin

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  • StudentBridge and Full Measure Merge to Revolutionize Higher Education Recruitment and Enrollment

    StudentBridge and Full Measure Merge to Revolutionize Higher Education Recruitment and Enrollment

    Two edtech trailblazers announced they are joining forces today, bringing colleges an unparalleled suite of enrollment lifecycle solutions.


    ATLANTA, June 6, 2023 (Newswire.com)
    –
    As many higher education institutions struggle to recruit and retain students amid increased competition, StudentBridge announced today its merger with Full Measure Education. Combining the strengths of both companies, this union offers colleges and universities a streamlined, one-stop-shop approach for achieving their enrollment goals. 

    “Our companies have been closely aligned in mission, vision, and culture over the years as we’ve taken different approaches to solving some of the same challenges,” said Greg Davies, founder and CEO of Full Measure. “This merger presented a timely, natural opportunity to better support our education partners, the students they serve, and our employees.”

    Historically, both companies emphasized personalization and data, deploying differing highly effective methods that resonate with Gen Z. While StudentBridge focused on helping schools convert stealth visitors earlier in the funnel with authentic video-centric content, Full Measure prioritized engagement further down the funnel with direct messaging and influencer-style content.

    “What excites me about combining these companies is how highly complementary they are,” said Jonathan Clues, founder and CEO of StudentBridge. “I’ve known Greg Davies for years, giving me a chance to really get to know Full Measure and see how neatly their approach aligned with our own top-of-funnel efforts. By joining forces, we’re helping colleges and universities attract more, amaze more, and achieve more.”

    The resulting entity, which will retain the StudentBridge name, fuses authentic storytelling with industry-leading technology and personalized digital experiences to meet the unique needs of every enrollment team. This offers multiple benefits for institutions and students alike, including data-rich student profiles, simplified vendor management, and cohesive experiences across the student journey. 

    “We’re now able to better help colleges and universities consistently create memorable moments at more key conversion points that then become increasingly personalized based on students’ unique interests, needs, and goals,” said Davies.

    Summing up, Clues said, “Students have to navigate multiple waypoints in the search and decision-making stages. Our goal is to alleviate friction from that process to help them identify their perfect fit and for our partners to attract right-fit students who are more likely to stay and matriculate.”

    The StudentBridge headquarters will remain in Atlanta with Clues continuing as CEO and Davies assuming a board position.

    Those looking to learn more about the merger can schedule a meeting. 

    About StudentBridge

    Headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, with a global team of experts, StudentBridge fuses authentic storytelling with industry-leading technology and personalized digital experiences to help over 500 higher education institutions attract more, amaze more, and achieve more. Learn more at www.studentbridge.com. 

    About Full Measure

    Previously headquartered in Washington, D.C., Full Measure Education partnered with over 250 higher education institutions to employ a mobile-first approach that improves the student journey — from initial interest and touring campus to getting accepted and beyond. Learn more at www.fullmeasure.io.

    Source: StudentBridge

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