Hard Times, Big Bang for the Buck — Community Colleges and Online Learning

Let’s talk about fear. About your diminishing chances to earn that degree, as jobs shrink, and money gets tighter and tighter.

Let’s look the beast in the eye. Let’s talk about higher education affordability, in these vicious, tough economic times.

The new annual College Board report stats show that community college tuition, and online programs, are one-third the cost of an average four-year college.

Affordable? Let’s talk about the fees.

The College Board’s annual reports highlight lower tuition and good financial aid) programs that can enable you to stay the course and realize your dream of earning your degree.

One of the major benefits of Online Learning is that students can select from a wide range of online courses offered at participating Community Colleges.

Online learning is a very powerful and affordable tool in this set of options.

Looking for a course in Art, Biology, Economics, English, Chemistry, History, Math, Physics, Psychology? These hardly scratch the surface of the dazzling array of course choices offered by hundred, thousands, of institutions.

And what about you student still in high school, looking to improve your college chances?

In many states in the USA, such as North Carolina for instance, high school students can earn college credits through special “Learn & Earn Online” initiatives. Registration for these courses is currently underway.

Check with your school counselor if you are interested – even if your school’s formal course registration deadline has passed. Qualified students in participating high schools can take a variety of online college-credit courses— at no cost to them or to their families!

Students can earn both high school and college credit for completed courses. (Access to these courses is provided during the regular school day and an online course facilitator will assist students in the classroom.)

The Community College System is a strong and active partner in this initiative. Its member institutions offer a wide range of college courses, to assist students in meeting their educational goals.

Okay, but not everything is free. After high school, what about “affordability”? By far, community college tuition remains the lowest of any sector of higher education.

According to the new College Board report, Community college tuition and fees average just 36.2% of the tuition and fees paid at an average four-year college. Tuition at for-profit institutions is 5.6 times higher than community college tuition. In fact, last year the tuition and fee increase was only 3.4%!

“Community colleges are a beacon of affordability in higher education amid tough economic times,” said George R. Boggs, AACC President and CEO. “They offer quality educational experiences that are tailored to support students at many stages of life – and because they start at a lower price point than four-year colleges, they are easier for students to finance with financial aid, and students are less likely to graduate with debt.”

This fall, community college tuition increases followed a historic pattern of being triggered by cuts in public funding. Still, the average community college tuition only rose by $172 – from $2,372 to $2,544.

Among the higher education institutions analyzed by the College Board, community colleges had the highest percentage change in tuition and fees from the previous year at 7.3%.

Online learning can cut student costs further. The lower cost threshold of community colleges translates into students graduating with less debt.

The College Board report on financial aid noted that at community colleges, 62% of associate degree and 70% of certificate earners graduated without debt. Comparatively, only 2% of associate degree and 10% of certificate earners graduated from for-profit institutions without debt.

Community college students received 33% of all Pell Grant awards issued by the federal government.

The federal Pell Grant program provides need-based grants to low-income undergraduate (and some post baccalaureate) students— to promote access to postsecondary education.

Because of federal and privately-funded grants, low-income students at community colleges often paid nothing for tuition and fees.

In 2008-09, more than 2.19 million community college students received Pell Grants, which now have a maximum grant of $5,350 toward tuition and fees. Unlike a loan, the student does not have to pay this money back to a lender with interest.

Only 10% of community college students took out federal Stafford Loans, as compared to 88% of students at for-profit institutions, according to the College Board.

One way or another, you can make it. You can earn that degree. You can find the money, the aid, the grant.

You’ve got to be tough and smart, both, and never give up.

Community college online learning programs are designed to be affordable, and can launch your degree potential.

You can find the help, if you really want it, the same way you can make the time, if you really mean it.

Make the system work for you! Earn the degree that will empower your lifelong dreams!

HOW TO GET STARTED—

• Use GRAD2B’s range of resources, and explore our information guides at the end of each entry.
• Inquire into Online learning with the institutions offering assistance on the GRAD2B home page.
• Call your local Community College for assistance in locating the aid and course programs you need.
• For Pell Grant info, online, go to: http://www.ed.gov/programs/fpg/index.html

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