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Back to school

Last update: February 27, 2008 - 9:17 PM

The University of Minnesota athletic department has a relatively new initiative designed to get former athletes to return to school and finish their degrees.

How to works: A committee identifies former athletes who are close to graduating -- typically they have already earned 100 credits -- and then contacts them to see if they are interested.

Financial help: The school provides financial aid for tuition and books, if needed, through the NCAA's student-athlete opportunity fund or other scholarship money, if applicable.

Successful returns: The U said 48 former athletes have returned and finished their degrees in the past four years. They will help the athletic department's overall graduation figures.