Frequently Asked Questions
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Frequently Asked Questions About Higher Education Access
- Why should barriers to accessing higher education be a concern for state policymakers?
- How has the definition of a “traditional” college student changed?
- How can states help adult students who have lost jobs or would like to develop new career skills and why is it important?
- What are the benefits of postsecondary education?
- How is higher education financed?
- Why should barriers to accessing higher education be a concern for state policymakers?
Access to higher education is typically associated with college affordability and success. State legislators should ensure that students from all socioeconomic backgrounds are receiving the appropriate counseling in preparation for the transition to college and are aware of their financial aid options, if necessary. The debate on college access has shifted from one on racially balanced admissions and affirmative action programs to one on affordability for middle and low-income students.
College accessibility is also associated with a state’s economic competitiveness, since most college graduates remain in the state where they earned their degrees. For states to remain competitive in an increasingly skills-driven workforce, states should attract and retain students to their colleges and universities by offering challenging and affordable higher education opportunities within their state.
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- How has the definition of a “traditional” college student changed?
A growing number of undergraduate students are adults returning to college to improve their job skills or to acquire new skills needed to change or advance their careers. The Pew Research Center has estimated that nearly 40 percent of 18-24 year olds were enrolled in college in 2008. Two-year colleges that educate approximately 44 percent of undergraduates in the U.S. have recorded significant enrollment increases as students look to less expensive options to pursue their academic degrees. High school graduates are also beginning to choose to enroll in two-year institutions part-time so that they can also hold a job to help pay the tuition costs. After completing their prerequisites, many students transfer to four-year institutions to complete their college education.
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- How can states help adult students who have lost jobs or would like to develop new career skills and why is it important?
One important way for states to help adults who would like to go back to school to develop new career skills or to improve on their current skills is to keep the costs of postsecondary education at reasonable levels for middle and low-income adults. There are two ways for states to accomplish this goal, which include keeping tuition low and providing working adults with financial aid. According to a 2009 report by the National Governors Association, states can start to improve the affordability of postsecondary education for adult workers by creating adult-friendly state financial aid programs. The U.S. Bureau of Labor and Statistics predicts that the primary source of employees in the U.S. for the next 20-30 years will be current workers. By investing in postsecondary education for working adults, states can benefit from an increase in educated workers, leading to a state’s economic growth.
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- What are the benefits of postsecondary education?
There are many benefits to pursuing a postsecondary degree. By pursuing higher education, an individual has the ability to strengthen the social and economic foundation of their community. College graduates typically have higher salaries, enjoy better health, are less likely to be involved in criminal activity, and are more likely to volunteer and vote. Educated citizens also enjoy greater productivity, as well as increased economic opportunities, social mobility, and more civic engagement. According to the Council for Adult and Experiential Learning, higher levels of education are also associated with decreased reliance on financial assistance from the government.
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- How is higher education financed?
The increases in college tuition costs have surpassed family incomes and the cost of basic necessities. However, tuition and fees only cover approximately one-third of the total cost at public four-year institutions, 20 percent at public two-year institutions, and about half at private colleges and universities, according to The College Board’s “Trends in College Pricing 2007.”
In addition, funding for colleges also comes from state appropriations, grants, contracts from federal, state, and local levels, institutional revenue, and private gifts. With the downturn of the economy, public colleges and universities have increased their competition for state funding. State legislators and higher education leaders should work together to find solutions to improve institutional effectiveness.
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