What Is the Finish Line Student Discount?

Adelphi University’s Finish Line Program is a unique initiative designed to help students return to school and complete the bachelor’s degrees they once set aside. Delivered through the College of Professional and Continuing Studies (CPCS), the program emphasizes flexibility, affordability and academic support.

For many returning students, the Finish Line Program represents the most valuable student discount available, one that reduces immediate costs and creates lifetime earning potential. Adelphi highlights that programs can be completed 100 percent online in fields such as business, social science, emergency services administration and liberal studies.

Academic and Financial Forgiveness

The Finish Line Program provides two levels of forgiveness that make returning to college more achievable. First, students who left Adelphi three or more years ago with a GPA below 2.0 may qualify for academic forgiveness. Adelphi explains that eligible students can have their previous grades canceled after completing 12–13 CPCS credits with a GPA of 2.3 or higher. This allows returning students to start fresh and demonstrate academic progress without being held back by older transcripts.

Second, the program offers debt forgiveness for students who still owe money to Adelphi. According to the University, balances can be forgiven once a student completes their degree, provided the amount owed does not exceed the tuition needed to finish the program and is less than the cost of the credits still required. This dual approach removes both academic and financial barriers, making degree completion far more realistic for working adults.

Practical Benefits of the Program

There is no readmission application fee for students returning through the CPCS pathway. Tuition is comparable to public colleges, making a private university degree more affordable. Adelphi also offers active-duty military members and veterans a reduced undergraduate tuition rate of $250 per credit hour. Together, these features lower the upfront cost for students determined to finish their degree online.

Dedicated support is another practical benefit. Students are paired with academic support specialists and Finish Line success coaches, who help guide them from readmission through graduation. This one-on-one assistance is designed to smooth the transition back to school and provide accountability throughout the program.

Who the Program Serves

The Finish Line Program specifically targets students who have already made substantial progress toward a degree but had to step away. Adelphi notes that most participants have completed at least 60 credits before leaving.

Many left schools because of financial challenges, family obligations or the need to work full-time. By valuing prior coursework and life experience, Adelphi ensures that returning students can finish their bachelor’s degree online quickly and without unnecessary duplication of effort.

Long-term Financial Benefits

The financial benefits of completing a bachelor’s degree extend far beyond tuition savings. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), workers with a bachelor’s degree earn median weekly wages of $1,533 compared to $946 for those with only a high school diploma, a difference of nearly $600 every week.

BLS adds that earnings generally rise and unemployment rates fall as educational attainment increases. Over the course of a career, this adds up to hundreds of thousands of dollars in additional income.

How Forgiveness Models Create Opportunity

Adelphi’s Finish Line Program aligns with a broader movement to reduce financial barriers for students. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) explains that federal student loan forgiveness options, such as Public Service Loan Forgiveness and income-driven repayment, are designed to give borrowers second chances and ease the path to completion.

Similarly, the U.S. Department of Education emphasizes that loan forgiveness programs reward persistence, whether through making 120 qualifying payments in public service or completing 20 to 25 years of income-driven repayment. Staying enrolled in the appropriate repayment plan and maintaining consistent employment in qualifying sectors ensure graduates can successfully navigate the path to eventual debt relief.

Completing Your Degree with Confidence

Adelphi’s Finish Line Program demonstrates how colleges can support nontraditional students who are determined to complete their education. With online options in liberal studies, business, social science and emergency services administration, the program combines convenience with affordability.

Academic forgiveness, debt forgiveness, military pricing and coaching support all work together to ensure students cross the finish line. The Finish Line Program at Adelphi University delivers one of the most valuable forms of discount available: reduced barriers, renewed opportunity and the lifelong dividends of a bachelor’s degree completed online.

Learn more about Adelphi University’s online programs.