How to Cool Your Chances of Succumbing to Summer Melt

The term “Summer Melt” commonly refers to students who make a commitment in the Spring to return to school in the Fall. However, during the summer their plans gradually start to dissolve -- resulting in them abandoning school altogether.

How many students are affected by Summer Melt?

In April 2018, Education Northwest published an article entitled, What the Research Says About Summer Melt. In this piece, researchers Lindsay Page and Benjamin Castleman reported that 10-20% of students in the U.S. who enroll in college in the spring fail to return in the fall.

What type of students are more susceptible to Summer Melt?

Typically, students who are more likely to fall prey to Summer Melt come from low-income backgrounds.

What are Some Common Causes of Summer Melt?

The most common causes of Summer Melt are linked to some form of financial insecurity. A few instances that could instigate a bout of Summer Melt are:

• Students find a good-paying job during the summer that distracts them from their studies.
• Students are fearful of going deeper into debt with student loans.
• Students can’t depend on financial support from their family.
• Students’ financial packages fall short of their expectations.
• Students become so overwhelmed and discouraged while filling out their FAFSA or financial aid paperwork that they abandon the process altogether.

How to Avoid Getting Summer Melt?

• Apply for scholarships with deadlines that are months away.
• Learn how to live on a strict budget.
• Construct a page on a crowdfunding site like GOFUNDME.com.
• Look for a part-time job that will accommodate your busy school schedule.
• Talk to a representative from your school’s financial aid office regarding a payment plan.
• Fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
• See if your “Expected Family Contribution” status has recently changed. If it has you might be eligible for more Federal Student Aid funds.
• Approach a family member about getting some financial support.
• Instead of going to an expensive four-year school consider enrolling in a far less expensive community college.

Reasons to Consider Hocking College

Hocking College offers students a hands-on, quality educational experience that is flexible, affordable and applicable to their career goals.

Founded in 1968, Hocking College is located in the scenic town of Nelsonville, Ohio.  Rich in history, nature, art and culture. Hocking College also has the Perry Campus located in New Lexington, Ohio and the Logan Campus.

In addition to the school’s on-campus residents, who attend Hocking from throughout the United States and around the world, local students commute from all over Southeast Ohio.

Hocking College offers a wide array of scholarships through the Hocking College Foundation, including the Hocking College Work Scholarship.

The work scholarship, which is different from the Federal Work Study program, is for students with a balance of $2,500 or less for the semester after all expected aid has been posted. Students work on campus, ideally in areas that apply to their area of study to not only help pay for college but to learn skills that will be helpful after they graduate.

Hocking College offers more than 50 associate degree and certificate programs to choose from in the following categories:

• Allied Health & Nursing
• Arts, Business & Science
• Natural Resources
• Public Safety Services
• Workforce Development

More about HC’s Financial Aid Department

Located on the first floor of John Light Hall on the Nelsonville campus, Hocking College’s Office of Financial Aid Services is able to assist students on the following walk-in hours Monday from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. and Tuesday through Friday from 8 a.m. until 4 p.m.

Please be aware that the busiest times in the office are 2-3 weeks before the start of a semester and for two weeks after the start. During this time, their response to phone inquiries are limited. 

For more information or help with the financial aid process, email finanicalaid@hocking.edu.