Half of Students Entering College Worry They Won't Graduate

RICHMOND, Va., Aug. 10, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Prospective college students are arriving on campus already doubting their ability to reach graduation with nearly half anticipating the need to either temporarily or permanently withdraw from their degree program. According to the 2017 Allianz Tuition Insurance College Confidence Index, 48 percent are less than very confident they will finish college without dropping out permanently and 55 percent think they will need to take at least some time off. 

The Allianz Tuition Insurance College Confidence Index survey results also revealed:

• Nearly half (43 percent) of current students indicate they've thought about withdrawing;
• The majority (53 percent) are less than very confident they will graduate within four years; and
• Parents, too, anticipate the likelihood that withdrawal might be necessary. More than half of all parents surveyed (52 percent) lacked full confidence that their student will graduate within four years.

"There's a lot at stake for parents and students, including the possibility of suffering a financial loss from dropping out. If students want to return to school, some families may not be able to fund the additional semesters needed to graduate," said Joe Mason, chief marketing officer at Allianz Global Assistance. "Over one-hundred colleges and universities rely on Allianz to provide tuition protection to increase their students and families' confidence and peace of mind."

Students and parents alike realize that the implications of additional, unplanned semesters are significant: 85 percent agree that the financial repercussions of withdrawing could be severe. Among those surveyed, the average financial loss resulting from college withdrawal was estimated to be more than $11,000. Additionally, 10 percent of respondents estimate their potential loss to be at least $25,000.

Current and prospective college students identified the following as the most likely reasons they may withdraw from their college program:

• Family emergency – 69 percent
• Stress – 66 percent
• Mental health condition – 66 percent
• Physical health condition – 60 percent

"After a certain point in the semester, most universities refund only a partial amount of tuition paid by students and their families.  Fortunately, tuition insurance provides a refund to families for both tuition and other academic expenses when students unexpectedly are forced to leave school for a reason covered by their policy," said Mason.

Additional survey findings reveal:

• Just 52 percent of students said they're "very confident" they won't permanently withdraw from college at some point;
• Parents and students often aren't aware of their current (or prospective) school's refund policy – half indicate no awareness, and just one in eight respondents (16 percent) say they are very confident they know it; and
• Nearly 8 in 10 parents (78 percent) say they'd be worried about making student loan payments if their child had to withdraw from their college program.

To learn more about Allianz Tuition Insurance, visit www.AllianzTuitionInsurance.com.

Methodology: These are some of the findings of an Ipsos poll conducted on behalf of Allianz in May 2017. For the survey, a sample of n=2,004 Americans (college students age 17-25: n=1,001 and parents n=1,003 were interviewed online via Ipsos's American online panel.  The precision of Ipsos online surveys is measured using a Bayesian credibility interval.  In this case, with a sample of this size, the results are considered accurate to within ± 2.5 percentage points, 19 times out of 20, of what they would have been had all American college students (prospective and current) and parents been polled. The credibility interval will be larger within sub-groupings of the survey population.

Allianz Global Assistance USA
Allianz Global Assistance USA (AGA Service Company) is a leading consumer specialty insurance and assistance company.  We serve 25 million customers annually and are best known for our Allianz Travel Insurance plans. In addition to travel insurance, Allianz Global Assistance USA offers tuition insurance, event ticket protection, registration protection for endurance events and unique travel assistance services such as international medical assistance and concierge services. The company also serves as an outsource provider for in-bound call center services and claims administration for property and casualty insurers and credit card companies.

Allianz Tuition Insurance protects both in-state and out-of-state non-refundable college tuition in the event that a student withdraws from school for reasons that include illness, injury or psychological/mental disorders. One insurance plan will even provide coverage for almost any unforeseen reason that may cause a student to leave school. Tuition Insurance must be purchased prior to the first day of the semester and three different plans are available, starting at only $29.95 per term. The insurance also includes Allianz Global Assistance's proprietary Student Life Assistance, a 24/7 service that assists families in the event of an emergency.

*Terms, conditions, reductions, and exclusions apply. All plans not available in all states. For a complete description of the coverage and specific benefit limits offered under your plan, carefully review your declarations page and insurance policy.  Unforeseen reason coverage is limited to 50% of covered loss.  Plans are only available to U.S. residents.  Insurance coverage is underwritten by Jefferson Insurance Company (NY, Administrative Office: Richmond, VA), rated "A+" (Superior) by A.M. Best Co., under Jefferson Form No. 107-P series. Allianz Global Assistance and Allianz Tuition Insurance are brands of AGA Service Company. AGA Service Company is the licensed producer and administrator of this plan and an affiliate of Jefferson Insurance Company. The insured shall not receive any special benefit or advantage because of the affiliation between AGA Service Company and Jefferson Insurance Company. Non-insurance benefits/ products are provided and serviced by AGA Service Company. Consumer may be responsible for charges incurred from outside vendors for assistance or concierge services.    

SOURCE Allianz Global Assistance USA

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