Degree Completion Award

APLU’s Degree Completion Award seeks to recognize and reward public universities that are increasing degree completion rates, and total numbers of undergraduate degrees awarded, while recognizing institutional improvement in achievement gaps across student populations. This award complements the association’s commitment to student success by providing member institutions with innovative and promising evidence-based practices for adoption, adaptation, and scaling.

2024 Degree Completion Award Application Period

The application period for APLU’s 2024 Degree Completion Award will open on April 1. All APLU institutions are strongly encouraged to apply for the award after reviewing the application and guidelines. Applications are due by June 28 at 5:00 pm PT and the winner will be announced during the APLU Annual Meeting in Orlando, Florida on November 10-12, 2024.

Up to five finalists for the award will be showcased at the APLU Annual Meeting, where a representative from each institution will present an overview of their work and discuss innovative degree completion practices. The winner will be highlighted publicly through APLU’s social media accounts, member newsletter, and other communication channels as well as at the APLU Annual Meeting.

For access to a Microsoft Word version of the application materials, please click here.

Eligibility
APLU member institutions are eligible and invited to apply for the 2024 APLU Degree Completion Award. Initiatives (or programs) that have improved the institution’s four-year degree completion numbers and rates will be considered. The strongest applications will provide evidence that an initiative (or program) has a significant impact on degree completion outcomes.

Previous award recipients and finalists are not eligible to apply in the two years immediately following receipt of APLU’s Degree Completion Award.