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Community Colleges Are Changing Strategies to Increase Enrollment
Community college enrollment is in decline, but some schools are refusing to roll over. Read on to learn the factors impacting enrollment rates and what some schools are doing to stay afloat.

Though some still think that community colleges are somehow less legitimate than traditional colleges and universities, the fact remains that community colleges provide opportunities for students who might not otherwise find the right fit. With reduced tuition costs and flexible class schedules, community college is ideally suited to non-traditional students, including single parents, slightly older adults, and students for whom English is a second language.

Though community colleges fill an essential niche in the American hierarchy of education, statistics show that enrollment numbers are falling at an alarming rate. Between 2016 and 2017 alone, enrollment dropped by nearly 2% nationwide. Furthermore, a survey of college and university admissions directors completed by Inside Higher Ed revealed that 84% of community colleges have declined enrollment over the past two years.

Community colleges are forced to adapt to declining enrollments and new political challenges. Read on to learn how community colleges are changing strategies to boost enrollment.

Why Is Enrollment in Decline?

In 2018, the National Student Clearinghouse Research Center surveyed community college enrollment to evaluate recent declines. The survey revealed a decline of 1.8%, or 275,000 students, compared to the previous spring. This marks the seventh straight year that community college enrollment has declined in the United States.

According to the survey, enrollment was down in 34 states. Six of the ten largest states on that list were located in the Northeast or Midwestern United States. After looking at these declining student populations, the center

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Advice and Essential Resources for LGBTQ Community College Students

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Advice and Essential Resources for LGBTQ Community College Students
In a time of change, the LGBTQ community is receiving more support than ever and the world is changing with each passing year. As a young adult member of the LGBTQ community, you have unique opportunities to take advantage of when preparing to enter college if you choose to. Keep reading to learn what you can expect to see during your college search and how best to prepare for your freshman year.

Leaving home for the first time is a scary experience for many high school graduates, but for LGBTQ students, that fear has the potential to take on a different quality. According to a study conducted by Campus Pride, faculty members and students in the LGBTQ community are significantly more likely to experience harassment than their heterosexual peers. They are also more likely to feel uncomfortable in their environment on campus.

Though times are certainly changing, there will always be bigotry and discrimination. As an LGBTQ student, you should be aware of your rights and take steps to protect them as well as yourself. Read on to see some expert advice and to receive essential resources for LGBTQ students preparing to enter the college community.

The Top Colleges for LGBTQ Students

Picking a college is a major decision that can impact the rest of your life. Between choosing a major and finding the right school to suit your personality, the choice is tough but it gets tougher when you belong to a sexual minority. Unfortunately, colleges and universities around the country are at odds when it comes to protecting and ensuring equal rights and safety for LGBTQ students.

Though many academic institutions are taking great strides forward, it is still important to do your research, not only about the college and its policies but the culture of the surrounding area. Some colleges are even offering scholarships to LGBTQ students.

Here are 10 of the nation’s top schools for LGBTQ

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How to Pay for Community College as a Single Parent

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How to Pay for Community College as a Single Parent
Being a single parent is difficult (and expensive) but it shouldn't stop you from furthering your education. Read on to learn how to pay for community college as a single parent.

How to Pay for Community College as a Single Parent

Life as a single parent is challenging enough without the added burden of going to school. If you’re already shouldering a load of parenthood by yourself, you’re probably hesitant to add more to your plate. Furthering your education, however, could provide opportunities both for yourself and for your children that could change your lives for the better.

Getting a degree can open doors for you, but it does come with its challenges, and many of those challenges are financial. Raising a child is expensive, and so is going to school! Student loans are available for single parents, but they may not be the best option.

In this article, we’ll explore the benefits of community college, particularly for single parents, and we’ll provide some tips for making it more affordable.

The Benefits of Community College for Single Parents

Whether you’re starting college for the first time or continuing your education, community college provides many unique benefits over traditional 4-year schools, especially for single parents.

The way community colleges are structured is much more flexible than the typical college or university. Many community colleges offer both in-class and online courses with tuition prices that are much lower than traditional schools. Classes are offered both during the day and in the evening, making it easier for busy single parents to find a class schedule that fits their lifestyle. Plus, this flexibility enables single parents to keep working while attending college.

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How to Get the Most Out of Your College Visits this Summer

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How to Get the Most Out of Your College Visits this Summer
If you're preparing to apply to college, use your summer wisely and complete a few college visits. Read on to learn how to plan and how to get the most from each visit.

Whether you're planning to attend an Ivy League school or want to start out at community college, it's important to find the right fit. There are so many colleges and universities that there's no reason you can't find one that suits your needs, goals, and preferences.

But how do you go about choosing the right college?

You have to start somewhere, so talk to your high school counselor, do some research online, or ask friends and family to help you build a list of colleges that interest you. As you continue your research, you'll begin to get a feel for each school and determine whether it might be a good fit.

Once you've narrowed your list to a few top choices, it's time to take the next step: visiting campus. While virtual tours remain a valuable research tool in 2026, nothing replaces seeing a college in person. In this article, we'll discuss why campus visits are important and how to make the most of each one.

Why Is It Important to Visit a Community College?

The college application process takes time and effort. When you spend hours preparing applications, essays, and financial aid documents, you want to be confident that you're applying to schools that truly match your expectations. If you don't take the time to visit the colleges you're considering, you may miss important details that can't be found on a website.

A campus visit also gives you a better understanding of each school so you can

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Understanding the Different Types of College Degrees and How to Choose

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Understanding the Different Types of College Degrees and How to Choose
Choosing a college major can be tough, but you also need to think about choosing the right type of degree. Keep reading to learn about the five different types of college degrees and your earning potential for each one.

Understanding the Different Types of College Degrees and How to Choose

The world of higher education is vast and has many different options.

  • Whether you choose to attend community college or a traditional college or university, there are a number of other degrees to choose from, and each one offers unique potential in terms of your future career.
  • Before you apply to college, you should consider your field as well as the type of degree you intend to pursue.
  • Not every job requires a college degree, but many do.
  • There are also many careers where you are unlikely to succeed without an advanced degree.

The Five Types of College Degrees

One of the main benefits of earning a college degree is that it increases your earning potential.

  • College graduates earn more than non-degree holders in most fields.
  • Outside of higher income potential, the process of earning your degree opens you up to a whole new world of learning, and you develop skills you may not have had before.
  • Having a degree typically means better job security, more career options, and more personal development along the way.

There are many benefits to having a degree, but not all degrees are created equal. Here is an overview of the five different types of college degrees:

  1. Associate Degree (ex: Associate of Arts or Associate of Science)
  2. Bachelor’s Degree (ex: Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science)
  3. Master’s Degree (ex: Master of Arts, Master
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