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.

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Rep. Tyler Paul Smith, R-Breman, answers questions as he speaks in favor of Senate Bill 36, a 'religious freedom' bill, during Legislative Day 39 at the Georgia State Capitol on Wednesday, April 2, 2025.
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