Dual-Enrollment Presents Financial Drain for Florida Community Colleges

Community colleges have traditionally been a means for the budget-conscious to pursue a higher education and a well-paying job after graduation. However, if the student does not finish his degree or certificate program, he gains little more than excessive debt - and no credentials to get the job he needs to pay off his school loans. In Illinois, the number of community college students in this position is alarmingly high – so much so that the state's lieutenant governor, Sheila Simon, wants to write new legislation to improve community college graduation rates over the next decade significantly.

Focus on the Finish

The new report released by Simon’s office, titled “Focus on the Finish,” provides statistics on current graduation rates at Illinois community colleges and recommendations to improve those numbers. Nearly one million students enroll in Illinois community colleges every year. According to Lt. Governor Simon’s website, the report shows that four out of five recent high school graduates in Illinois who attend community college do not earn their degree or certificate within three years.

“We’re doing a good job of getting all types of students into the doors of community colleges,” Simon stated on her website. “But now we need to do a better job of moving them across the stage at graduation with a certificate or degree that leads to a good-paying job here in Illinois.”

Simon explains that there are currently 142,000 jobs available in the state, yet thousands of

The community college has come a long way since its humble beginnings, and now two-year programs have become an effective way for many to jumpstart a new career or advance their current job to the next level. Whether you are looking for a two-year degree program that gets you into the workforce faster or you are preparing for a four-year degree program with an eventual transfer to a university, community colleges have what you are looking for. However, before signing on with the closest community college, check out these tips to help you make the most of your two years at that institution.

Choosing a Degree Program

The plethora of two-year degree programs is one of the primary reasons more adult students are flocking to community colleges today. These schools offer a bevy of options, from general education degrees to career-specific training in everything from renewable energy to healthcare. However, the growing number of degree choices can also make it difficult for first-year community college students to settle on a program that will offer them both fulfillment and sufficient career openings. It is important to research degree programs carefully before choosing a major to ensure you find a program that will be both personally rewarding and financially lucrative.

According to data collected by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and reported by College Board, the top 10 degrees currently offered by community colleges in terms of job openings include:

• Registered nurses

India represents a huge population that boasts an exceptionally high percentage of youth under 14. To use that percentage to launch India into world leadership rankings, education has become a priority for the entire country. The Wadhwani Foundation, an Indian non-profit committed to improving the quality of life in this country, recently partnered with an American community college to bring skill-based training to the youth of India. The partnership promises to provide resources to the country's youth who want to break the cycle of poverty through post-secondary education and lucrative career options.

The New Agreement

According to a local article in the Washington Post, the agreement between the Virginia Foundations for Community College Education and the India-based Wadhwani Foundation will enable American colleges to promote skills-based training overseas. Community colleges in this country specialize in such post-secondary education, preparing students of all ages for specific career paths. However, Indian schools were not equipped to provide their growing middle class with the same benefits skills-based training offers until the Wadhwani Foundation made education a priority in improving the standard of living in that country.

U.S. Senator Mark Warner announced the agreement. The Democrat is a member of the five-person delegation planning a visit to various cities in India, including New Delhi, Jaipur, Hyderabad, and Kolkata. The purpose of the visit is to discuss expanding relationships between the United States and India through business, defense, trade, and cultural issues.

“Virginia’s two-year community colleges play a

While not every community college boasts a robust sports program, those that do provide an outlet for student-athletes to come and compete while getting their post-secondary education. Unfortunately, one Midwestern school has found that despite a long and illustrious history, they can no longer support the football program that has been an integral part of campus life. Grand Rapids Community College has bid a sudden farewell to their football program this year, after enjoying an 80-year tradition and plenty of notoriety through individual athletes and numerous winning seasons.

The Announcement is Made

According to a report at mLive.com, the announcement to end the football program was made by the president of Grand Rapids Community College, Steven Ender. Ender also issued a formal press release, after talking with the coaches and players involved in the football program about the school’s decision. In the press release, Ender cited the following reasons for bringing Grand Rapids football tradition to an abrupt halt:

• With games now played in Illinois, Iowa, North Dakota, and Georgia, the school was no longer able to spend the time or money getting the football team and staff to games further from home. In some cases, student-athletes and coaches were spending up to 19 hours on a bus to get to a single game.
• Many of the student-athletes that came to the school to play football faced severe personal obstacles, including finding the means to pay for off-campus housing, since many came from