PAUL SMITHS — Paul Smith’s College has announced “The Graduation Guarantee,” a program that allows new students who do not graduate within four years to complete their required coursework with no additional tuition cost.

Available to new Paul Smith’s attendees in the fall of 2020 and beyond, the program is designed to support students who have not met graduation requirements in May of their fourth year by relieving the tuition burden of returning to college to complete a bachelor’s degree.

“As our college continues to focus on the student experience, this policy is a demonstration of Paul Smith’s commitment to ensuring that the student experience is not only hands-on, but also cost-effective,” said Randy Martinez, biology major and senior class president at Paul Smith’s College.

Students must meet certain eligibility requirements in order to qualify, including full-time enrollment, an average of 15 credits per semester, and good academic standing. They’re also encouraged to engage with the campus community, which is shown by national studies to be linked with higher graduation rates.

The program adds to the list of college affordability initiatives underway at Paul Smith’s. In January, a tuition scholarship for SUNY Adirondack graduates was announced, and a similar program for North Country Community College alumni has been in place since 2017.