With Help, 'Stopouts' Are Returning to College

Colleges and local governments are making it easier for students who left school before finishing to get back on track.

Apr. 18, 2026 at 4:48pm

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An extremely abstracted, out-of-focus photograph in warm, muted tones depicting a college campus scene with blurred figures, books, and a laptop, conveying the emotional experience of a student struggling to complete their education.The hazy, dreamlike atmosphere of a college campus reflects the challenges many students face in completing their degrees, and the renewed efforts to help them reenroll and succeed.Baltimore Today

After experiencing personal and financial challenges, Jevona Anderson dropped out of the University of Baltimore while nearing completion of her bachelor's degree. She is part of a growing group of 'stopouts' - students who leave college before finishing. In recent years, more colleges and local governments have been helping these students reenroll, with the number of stopouts returning to school increasing by 7% in the 2023-2024 school year. Anderson was able to reenroll with the help of a scholarship program at the University of Baltimore, which covers her remaining credits and housing costs.

Why it matters

Earning a college degree is one of the best ways to improve long-term earnings, but many students face obstacles like unpaid fees, balancing work and family responsibilities, and health issues that cause them to drop out. Helping stopouts reenroll and complete their degrees can have a significant impact on their career prospects and financial stability.

The details

Jevona Anderson first enrolled at the University of Baltimore in 2019 to pursue a bachelor's in environmental sustainability, with the goal of becoming a teacher who could share her passion for the environment with students. However, she faced challenges like losing family members, financial struggles, and an eviction that made it difficult to focus on her studies. After her grades started to suffer, Anderson decided to pause her education. When she was ready to reenroll, she learned about a scholarship program at the university that helped cover her remaining credits and housing costs, allowing her to get back on track to graduating.

  • Anderson first enrolled at the University of Baltimore in 2019.
  • In 2025, Anderson was failing classes and falling behind on bills, leading her to drop out.
  • In late 2022, when Anderson's life had stabilized, she was ready to reenroll and learned about the university's scholarship program.
  • Anderson is now on the cusp of graduating this spring semester.

The players

Jevona Anderson

A 60-year-old student at the University of Baltimore who dropped out in 2025 due to personal and financial challenges, but was able to reenroll with the help of a scholarship program.

University of Baltimore

The university Anderson attends, which offers a scholarship program to help students close to finishing their degrees reenroll and complete their studies.

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What they’re saying

“It was so easy for someone my age to stop, because I have a lot of professional skills to get a job to continue to just live. It's bigger than that.”

— Jevona Anderson, Student

“Higher education continues to have great unmet potential to help people live better lives, and we're talking about a group of Americans that have already started down to that path; they're close to the finish line.”

— James Kvaal, Former Undersecretary of Education

What’s next

Anderson is on track to graduate this spring semester after receiving the scholarship assistance to reenroll and complete her degree.

The takeaway

This story highlights the growing issue of 'stopouts' - students who leave college before finishing their degrees - and the efforts by colleges and local governments to help these students reenroll and complete their education. By providing financial assistance and targeted support, more stopouts are able to overcome the obstacles that caused them to leave school and earn the credentials that can significantly improve their career prospects and financial stability.