Conclusion

There is no one-size-fits-all approach to funding and financing for non-degree programs at community colleges. Rather, the right model is one that takes into account the full range of needs of the target student population; leverages the best possible mix of funding to meet those needs; and has the financial and non-financial resources to remain responsive and adaptive to evolving labor market conditions and community member and employer needs. Our goal in this report has been to showcase the range of tools, resources, and approaches that we saw in practice—or with potential applications—in the non-degree space at community colleges. We hope this paper will spark more conversation, learning, and exchange about the value of full cost and other financial planning strategies among community college presidents, financial officers, and program leaders as well as the government, employers, and community partners that are stakeholders in their non-degree workforce development programs.