Successful student retention programs recognize that cognitive, social, and institutional factors all play a role in student retention and persistence. The most effective student retention programs address these three components by examining financial aid packages, course availability and content, as well as implementing support mechanisms such as tutoring, mentoring, and career counseling. It is also imperative to have a means of tracking students through school and monitoring the program's success so that the institution can determine which methods are effective and those that need improvement. For example, programs may be in areas of financial aid, student services, academic services, and recruitment and admissions, among others. MGA provides resource links that include advising, retention articles, and reports.

Seven Guiding Questions for Student Retention is a feature article by Dr. Watson Scott Swail written for studentsuccess.org.

Academic Advisement and Student Retention - research reviewed in this manuscript strongly suggests that there is much need for improvement in the quality of academic advisement and the rate of student retention in higher education.

Enhancing Student Persistence: Connecting the Dots outlines promising strategies and policies linking access, academic preparation, and persistence. Five conditions are cited in promoting persistence: expectation, advice, support, involvement, and active learning.

American Council on Education - Access & Persistence: Findings from ten years of longitudinal research on students.

ACT graduation, retention, and dropout reports; 1983-2005 summary tables.

National Center for Education Statistics - retention of first-time postsecondary students.

What works in student retention? ACT reports by institutional type.

National Center for Postsecondary Improvement has a variety of searchable reports.

Taking the Initiative: Strategic Moves for Retention - Occasional paper by Dr. Randi Levitz and Dr. Lee Noel.

Center for the Study of College Student Retention:

• Reference definitions
• Reference bibliography
• Retention slide presentation

Journal of Student Retention - The aim and scope of the Journal are to provide the educational community, federal and state government officials, and the public with the latest findings regarding the retention of students in higher education.

Student Success and the Construction of Inclusive Educational Communities by Vincent Tinto.

Collegeways provides retention resources to individuals and educational institutions.