Arizona State University has stepped it up with a bold move to re-engage former students who left before completing their degree. Dubbed "Operation Comeback," this initiative is not just a nostalgic nod to past associations but a practical nudge, offering financial incentives and academic support for those looking to finish what they started. ASU's Executive Vice President and University Provost, Nancy Gonzalez, laid out the mission clearly: they want to make it feasible for returnees to not only envision, but to grasp their ambition of a college degree, as ABC15 reported.
Here's what's on the table: a $100-per-credit scholarship for campus-based programs or $120 for online ones for Arizonans who re-enroll in the Spring or Fall semester of 2026. And for those who've accrued more than 90 credits, an extra $1,000 scholarship. More than that, personalized advisors are part of the package, and for some, the sweet relief of previous unpaid ASU balances cleared, which, announced by the university, about 500 students may immediately qualify for, as put forth by AZ Family.
One such former student, Cassandra Carey, exemplifies the stories ASU hopes to rewrite. Having to pick a full-time job with benefits over school a decade ago, Carey is now setting up a meeting with an advisor, eyeing a return. "I'm thinking it's going to take two or three years to finish. I'm OK with that. I've waited this long. My mom got her Bachelor’s [degree] at 50, and I'm two years away from that. So, I'm not scared," she told ABC15.
"One of the biggest predictors of upward mobility and career success is the completion of a degree," Gonzalez remarked, underlining the conviction driving 'Operation Comeback.' She shared her personal connection to the transformative power of education, along with that of ASU President Michael Crow, emphasizing that this initiative forms part of a broader pilot by the Arizona Board of Regents and the Helios Education Foundation, inextricably tying the personal to the collective charge of fostering success. Gonzalez stressed, "We are responsible for helping students — who have already shown the drive to pursue a degree — to make sure that life circumstances don’t stand in the way of their goals," as noted in a statement obtained by AZ Family.
For those intending to dive back into their academic pursuits, the practical steps have been streamlined. Some applicants might even enjoy a Quick Re-entry process, waiving the normal reapplication system. Further details on 'Operation Comeback' and the specific eligibility criteria can be found through the respective media outlets covering the initiative. With more than 160 people already expressing their interests, it's a clear signal that ASU might be on to something big — a renaissance of dreams deferred now beckoning potential graduates back to completing a chapter left unwritten.
