Atlanta and statewide nonprofit programs say needs‑based aid and advising raise college persistence for low‑income students

A cluster of nonprofit and independent college speakers told the Senate study committee that targeted, needs‑based support and advising are essential to help low‑income and first‑generation Georgians enroll and complete postsecondary credentials.

What they said: Jenna Colvin, president of the Georgia Independent College Association (GICA), said private nonprofit colleges provide substantial institutional aid and that net price—what students actually pay after grants—can be markedly lower than published “sticker” tuition. Colvin highlighted the federal Pell Grant’s central role, urged improved FAFSA completion to capture unclaimed Pell dollars, and flagged the Tuition Equalization Grant (TEG) as an inflation‑eroded program that has not kept pace with historical benchmarks.

Andrew College President Dr. William Kennedy described his rural Southwest Georgia campus and said roughly 69% of his students are Pell recipients; he noted institutional discounting and heavy use of institutional scholarships and last‑mile aid to keep students enrolled. He said Andrew awards institutional aid that he described as “foregone revenue” and that the college added two needs‑based programs to address small but decisive gaps for high‑need students.

Cheryl Watson Harris, president of Achieve Atlanta, described a decade of work providing a $5,000 needs‑based scholarship (and $1,500 for associate/technical students), completion grants and emergency funds, plus coaching and advising. She cited independent evaluation by Georgia Policy Lab finding Achieve Atlanta scholars persist and graduate at higher rates than like peers; she said scholars borrow less and work fewer hours, which the program links to better academic outcomes.

Jamezia Craig of College AIM and alumna‑staff Kamora Campbell described College AIM’s high‑school advising and follow‑through services in DeKalb County. They emphasized 90% Pell eligibility among the students they serve and said about 80% of their students remain in Georgia for college; Campbell described how private out‑of‑state offers with full demonstrated need packages sometimes become the only financially viable option for some Georgia students.

Why it matters: Presenters argued that Georgia’s heavy reliance on merit aid (HOPE/Zell Miller) leaves many high‑need students with gaps covering living costs. They urged greater needs‑based funding, better FAFSA completion and attention to the Tuition Equalization Grant’s erosion so private in‑state options remain accessible.

Provenance: GICA, Andrew College, Achieve Atlanta and College AIM presentations and student testimony appear in the transcript between the GICA presentation starting with Jenna Colvin and the College AIM signing‑day and alumni remarks that closed the afternoon panel.