Unless there are some groundbreaking economic and policy changes that none of us can foresee in 2012, the tough times facing state colleges and universities will continue, if not worsen.
The top 10 higher education state policy issues for 2012 is a report by the American Association of State Colleges and Universities (AASCU) that predicts the challenges ahead, including increased enrollment demand, decreased state funding to colleges and families, and increased tuitions and fees.
When you have a list with such issues, what is a college to do? More importantly, what are we to do?
We need to focus on what will increase our students’ chances for getting into college and succeeding there.
Colleges are feeling the crunch of doing more with less, so students need to prove their readiness for college. You will be a better candidate if the college you choose doesn’t have to use resources to prepare you further once you enroll. College administrators want to count on you to graduate from high school, so take advantage of every in-school and after-school program and opportunity for extra academic help.
Community colleges are a fantastic option for many students, especially those unsure of a future career path and with lower incomes, who can benefit from going to a local college. Learn as much as you can about the schools in your area before ruling them out.
Public colleges and universities still offer the most education for the lowest cost. Applicants with a grant or scholarship in hand will be more attractive to colleges. The less the colleges have to pay out of pocket for students, the better it is for their bottom line. Talk with guidance counselors, community advisors, and FUEL staff about scholarships and grants that might be available to you. Careful selection of loans, and planning to work and save while in college also make a big difference in whether a student decides to complete his college education.
The demand for increased college accountability means that the school will do as much as they can to help each student graduate. But students need to take advantage of the academic and counseling services that are available.
FUEL is invested in helping families make college a reality. To do that, we all have to face the realities of the current college crunch and make the most of the resources we have. These bits of advice could make all the difference.
FUEL helps underserved families realize their dreams of a higher education and break the cycle of poverty.
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