If Georgia is to meet future workforce needs, it must improve graduation rates and give incentives for completing college, national leaders told a state commission Monday.

The Higher Education Funding Commission is developing a new way to fund Georgia's public colleges so that more emphasis is placed on student success. Student enrollment currently drives how much taxpayer money colleges receive.

The group has until December to provide Gov. Nathan Deal with recommendations. While the committee is months away from finalizing a formula, it is expected to set targets for graduation rates, retention rates and other goals.

The commission is part of the Complete College Georgia initiative, a statewide effort to help more residents earn a college degree. As part of this effort, Deal is meeting with college presidents Tuesday.

Less than 40 percent of Georgians have a college degree, but studies show the state will need to reach 60 percent by 2020 to meet workforce needs.

About the Author

Keep Reading

Former Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Director Susan Monarez testifies before the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions hearing on Capitol Hill, in Washington on Wednesday, Sept. 17, 2025. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana)

Credit: AP

Featured

The city of Atlanta opened Azalea Fresh Market downtown to help residents find affordable groceries. (Natrice Miller/AJC)