WINONA LAKE, Ind. (AP): Grace College is thinking outside the box as it works to attract and retain students.

The small evangelical Christian school in northern Indiana has implemented a three-year degree program and tuition discounts that increase the longer a student is enrolled. It even plans to offer free textbooks starting next fall through an initiative called Measure of Grace.

Grace spokesman David Grout tells The Journal Gazette the venture is a “game changer” for the school.

Grout says it's easier to retain existing students than replace lost ones.

The college's current retention rate is about 80 percent.

Experts say Grace's steps reflect a national push to find new ways to recruit and retain students.