Dual enrollment programs are on the rise, offering high school students a head start in college coursework. However, many institutions struggle to retain these students beyond high school. How can higher education institutions ensure dual-enrolled students continue their academic journey with them?
The answer lies in data-driven, personalized engagement powered by Meritto’s Higher Education CRM. Institutions need to move beyond traditional recruitment methods and leverage an enrollment management system to automate, streamline, and personalize student interactions.
This article explores four tech-enabled strategies to retain dual enrollment students, ensuring they transition seamlessly into full-time college students.
1. Personalize Academic Pathways with an Enrollment Management System
Many dual-enrolled students are unaware of how their earned credits fit into a degree plan. Without proper guidance, they may transfer elsewhere or drop out entirely.
Meritto’s CRM in education industry enables institutions to map personalized academic pathways for dual enrollment students. Advisors can:
✅ Track earned credits and suggest accelerated degree completion plans
✅ Automate follow-ups with students who show hesitation in continuing their enrollment
✅ Provide real-time insights into program options aligned with career goals
Using CRM in education sector, institutions can send AI-powered nudges that guide students toward the best-fit academic programs. When students see a clear path forward, they are more likely to stay.
2. Strengthen Student Engagement with Targeted Enrollment Campaigns
Most institutions focus on affordability when marketing to dual enrollment students. However, cost savings alone aren’t enough to retain them.
With Meritto’s CRM in education, colleges can create highly personalized enrollment campaigns to highlight:
- Career-connected learning opportunities that showcase real-world impact
- Seamless credit transfers to ensure students don’t lose hard-earned credits
- Faculty mentorship programs that provide academic support and career guidance
With automation, institutions can track student interactions and deliver the right message at the right time. A well-timed email, SMS, or WhatsApp message can be the difference between enrollment and drop-off.
3. Simplify the Enrollment Process with Automated Workflows
The biggest hurdle for dual-enrolled students? The complexity of enrollment.
Navigating application forms, financial aid, and course registration can be overwhelming. With Meritto’s Higher Education CRM, institutions can create step-by-step guided workflows that:
- Automate reminders for FAFSA deadlines and scholarship applications
- Send real-time notifications about missing enrollment documents
- Enable self-service options via a student portal for seamless application tracking
This enrollment management system ensures students receive timely assistance without unnecessary friction, reducing dropout rates.
4. Implement Proactive Retention Strategies with Early Alerts
Dual-enrolled students often juggle high school commitments with college coursework. Without proactive intervention, they may struggle academically and opt out of continuing their education.
A CRM in education sector can track behavioral and academic signals to detect at-risk students early. Using Meritto’s system, institutions can:
- Set up automated early alerts for low engagement or academic struggles
- Connect students with academic advisors before they disengage
- Integrate counselor collaboration tools to ensure a smooth transition from high school to college
By identifying warning signs early, colleges can intervene effectively, increasing student success and retention rates.
Why Higher Education Institutions Need a CRM in Education
Retaining dual enrollment students isn’t just about communication—it’s about timing, personalization, and automation. Institutions must adopt an enrollment management system that enables:
- Data-driven decision-making for personalized student outreach
- Automated workflows to eliminate manual intervention in enrollment tasks
- Omnichannel communication (email, WhatsApp, SMS, calls) to engage students where they are
Meritto’s CRM in education industry provides a unified platform that connects enrollment, marketing, and advising teams—ensuring no student falls through the cracks.
The Bottom Line
Dual enrollment programs create long-term student pipelines, but institutions must rethink their retention strategies. Without personalized engagement and proactive intervention, students may never convert into full-time college enrollees.
By leveraging Meritto’s Higher Education CRM, institutions can:
- Streamline student engagement with targeted enrollment campaigns
- Simplify enrollment processes through automation
- Proactively retain students with early alert systems
In today’s competitive higher education landscape, a CRM in education isn’t just an advantage—it’s a necessity.
Ready to transform your dual enrollment strategy? Schedule a demo today to explore how Meritto’s enrollment management system can drive student retention and growth. 🚀
