How Can An Education Loyalty Program Transform Your Institution?

Loyalty programs in education may seem unnecessary but they boost enrollment and retention. 40% of students at four-year American universities drop out after six years, according to the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES). The attrition rates are higher at community colleges across the US. 

Learning is not restricted to schools and colleges anymore. Online courses, training programs, and coaching classes are now integral to education. The pandemic accelerated digital tools’ adoption, boosting online learning worldwide (OECD Digital Education Outlook 2023). With more options available, businesses must stand out to attract and retain students.

Implementing education loyalty programs addresses both these issues and improves enrolment & retention rates in educational institutions. 

An education loyalty program can reward various activities such as academic performance, referrals, extracurricular achievements, attendance, school spirit, donations, healthy eating and contributions to society. 

Participants of the Educational Loyalty Program

• Students – As educational institutions revolve around their students or learners, this group becomes the backbone of the educational loyalty program. Educational institutions need to make them feel appreciated and valued. The rewards in student loyalty programs can range from fee discounts for academic excellence to mentorship programs for excellence in extracurricular activities. Knowing that they will be recognized and rewarded for their hard work and involvement in school activities can help them participate better. This can help create a sense of belonging and loyalty towards the institution which can go beyond their tenure at the institution. 
• Parents – Though they are not directly involved, parents play the role of influencers in the education industry. They make key decisions in aspects of education like enrollment and tuition payment. Parents need to feel valued and that they contribute to their children’s success. This ensures sustained support and advocacy for the institution. This can be achieved through referral benefits, access to exclusive parent-teacher conferences or discounts on tuition fees. 
• Faculty – Education loyalty programs can be used for teachers and other faculty to improve the institution’s reputation and enhance the quality of staff. Faculty are the heart and face of the institution. Attracting and retaining the best teaching and non-teaching talent as staff becomes important. They need to stay loyal and committed to the educational institution. This works if the faculty is valued and their efforts are recognized and rewarded. They can be motivated by professional development opportunities, public recognition or access to exclusive networking events. 
• Alumni – The alumni network plays a crucial role in an institution’s growth through donations and mentorship. Building a community that makes former students feel connected is an ongoing effort. This helps foster their desire to give back to their alma mater and advocate for the institution’s brand. The education loyalty program can reward alumni with invitations to special events, career opportunities and discounts for further education within the institution, if applicable. 

Benefits of Implementing An Educational Loyalty Program

1. Boost Enrollment – Having an education loyalty program in place can help an institution stand out in the competitive market. Prospective students and their parents can be attracted by tangible benefits. Discounts on tuition fees, access to exclusive events and career-focused advantages can help make the decision to enrol into the institution easier. 
2. Retain More Students – Keeping students enrolled is as important as bringing them in. Both shape their journey and the institution’s success. Rewarding academic excellence, extra-curricular activities, and long-term involvement with the institution can help students invest in their academic journey. This translates into a sense of belonging and loyalty towards the institution. 
3. Engage Alumni – Former students are a huge part of the institution’s ecosystem. They contribute to their alma mater if they are emotionally connected to it and are regularly involved. They can help with job placements, fund donations, mentorship and improve reputation through word-of-mouth. A loyalty program can make them feel valued and keep them interacting with the institution often so that it stays on the top of their mind. 
4. Enhance Communication – The loyalty program can act as a channel of communication from the institution to all its stakeholders. Updates about developments in the institution, achievements of the stakeholders, and event reminders create regular touchpoints. This keeps the participants informed and engaged with the institution. It is also a feedback mechanism that can be used to address issues and adapt programs to meet the stakeholders’ needs. 
5. Earn Parent Trust – Being the decision makers in traditional educational institutions, gaining the trust and confidence of parents is highly important. If they are satisfied with the institution’s benefits and opportunities, they are more likely to recommend it. The loyalty program can help parents feel involved and appreciated. This fosters their loyalty towards the institution. 
6. Reduce Faculty Attrition – To maintain academic quality, it’s crucial to hire and retain top faculty. Loyalty programs that support professional growth and reward contributions can boost job satisfaction. Eventually, this translates into more sincere work and faculty are less likely to leave their jobs. 
7. Build a Community –  A structured loyalty program helps foster a sense of community among its stakeholders. There is scope for interaction and collaboration through rewards, recognition and events. This sense of belonging creates a loyal community that is always ready to support the institution and its initiatives. 
8. Create Brand Advocates – When all your stakeholders feel valued and are satisfied, they act as brand ambassadors and advocate for your institution. This becomes organic promotion which can really help with your brand’s reputation and increase enrollment to your educational institution. In this way, Loyalty programs help drive growth, without any additional costs.  

How to Create an Effective Educational Loyalty Program:

1. Identify Your Audience – Understanding the needs, preferences, and motivations of each group – students, parents, faculty, and alumni- can help you tailor your rewards program to resonate with them and increase engagement.   
2. Define goals – Defining what the education loyalty program aims to achieve, can help give it a direction and framework which you can then build upon. It can also help measure the success of the loyalty program whether it is in terms of enrollment, retention or involvement.  
3. Use a Mix of Reward Types – Experiment with different types of rewards and figure out what resonates most with your audience. A comprehensive mix of incentives like discounts, recognition or exclusive access can appeal to a more diverse audience and help maximize participation. 
4. Select a Loyalty Management Platform – Choosing a loyalty management platform that can help you create a personalized program, manage it and track its efficiency can simplify the process. A robust loyalty management software that provides a seamless user experience and valuable insights can help you in efficiently administering the loyalty program.   
5. Encourage Participation – Promote the loyalty program and make the sign-up process easy, so that a huge number of stakeholders register for it. After this, create programs that encourage frequent participation to improve engagement.  
6. Optimize Program – Regularly analyze data and gather feedback to figure out areas for improvement. Adapt the loyalty program based on what’s working and make changes based on the evolving needs and preferences of your audience.

Transforming Educational Loyalty with Loyalty Management Platforms

LoyaltyXpert simplifies the creation, management, and optimization of loyalty programs with a comprehensive suite of features, including:

• Flexible reward systems
• Robust segmentation
• Advanced analytics and reporting
• Seamless integrations with existing systems

Educational institutes interested in the customer loyalty program can get in touch with us.