Georgia State University was one of six public colleges honored Tuesday for improving student achievement and conducting strong research while dealing with state budget cuts.

The New America Foundation lauded these schools for using new approaches to enroll and graduate an increasingly diverse group of students. The colleges share a strong student-focus and quickly adopt innovative programs to meet their needs, according to the "Next Generation University" report.

Georgia State was recognized for several programs including Keep HOPE Alive, which helps students regain the popular scholarship if they lose it, and the Panther Retention Grants, which provide students with small grants to cover their bills so that they don’t have to drop out.

Other colleges highlighted in the report are: Arizona State University, the University at Buffalo, the University of California at Riverside, the University of Central Florida and the University of Texas at Arlington.

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