When a student leaves college prematurely without paying the balance on their account, the institution typically withholds the student’s transcript, resulting in stranded credits that can make it difficult for the student to resume their studies later or transfer to another college. Student debt analysts and higher ed advocates have long argued that the practice takes a tremendous personal toll on students, particularly the most disadvantaged. Now Ithaka S+R, a higher education consulting firm, has launched a pilot program that aims to address the twin issues of stranded credits and unpaid debt.
