Careers: Air Traffic Control

Working adults have long struggled with the challenges of balancing their careers, their families, and their educational goals. Community colleges offer traditional and non-traditional students the opportunity to work toward their educational goals without the lifestyle changes that come with the traditional four-year college experience. But, even with the flexibility of early morning, evening, and even Saturday classes, adult students can find it difficult to attend even local college campuses.

Convenient, Expensive, Private On-line Universities

Private online universities, sometimes called for-profit universities, actively market the convenience of attending college courses online, anytime, from anywhere. While online universities offer a convenient option for working students, they are typically far more expensive than public community colleges. For example, the total cost of a two-year degree at the online University of Phoenix is approximately $22,000, while the same two-year degree from a community college in New York would cost an in-state resident about $9,000. Community Colleges Respond to a Need for Convenience

Richard Lock explains the 7 top benefits of online learning in this video.

Community college administrators understand that students often choose much more expensive college options because of convenience. As a result, they are taking steps to make community college more accessible to all students by introducing new modalities for online learning, including:

• Blended courses
• Online asynchronous courses
• MOOCs (Massive Open Online Courses)
• Blended Courses

Sometimes called hybrid classes, blended classes combine traditional on-campus classroom instruction with

As much of the country expands funding for community colleges, and with that funding, improved course offerings and increased access to higher education, Arizona has taken the unusual step of taking funding away from some of its community college systems. In fact, according to data just released by the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, Arizona continues its legacy in 2015 as it did in 2014: leading America in slashes to funding – and in tuition increases.diminish the overall quality of education

Most impacted are two of the state’s largest community college districts – Maricopa County Community College system and Pima Community College. For several years, budget cuts for higher education spending have been the norm. However, what makes these proposed cuts significant is that it removes state funding altogether. Rather than getting a few million dollars, both the Maricopa and Pima community college systems would receive zero dollars in the next fiscincreased by an astounding 80 percental year as part of the state’s new budget. What does this mean for students?

Uproar from Higher Ed

Understandably, higher education officials in Arizona are not pleased with this outcome. Arizona currently ranks first in terms of higher education funding cuts. This is due in part to drastic moves by the state during the Great Recession to remain solvent. However, although the Great Recession has ended, spending is still being cut in Arizona as the state faces a $1.5 billion budget shortfall.

Most college students want to spend their winter, spring, and summer breaks relaxing and having fun with friends and family. However, the grind of going to class, doing homework, and studying for tests can take its toll as the semester goes on. However, for students who wish to get ahead, those who need to make up some credits because of a bad grade here and there, or those who have work or family obligations, taking courses during these breaks is a smart choice.

Many community colleges recognize the appeal of taking courses while regular classes are not in session. Summer courses are the most popular, with many community colleges offering just as many classes during the summer session as they do during the regular school year. Some community colleges have seen double-digit increases in summer enrollment over the last few years, fueling an ongoing expansion of course schedules to accommodate increasing demand. However, many colleges also offer courses during shorter breaks, particularly during spring and winter.

In recent years, colleges nationwide have also begun offering alternative options for earning college credit. Some schools have opened pathways for students to receive credit for their experiences at what they've accomplished in life. Other institutions allow students to test out of specific courses instead of enrolling in higher-level classes. Still, other colleges offer college credit to students who perform community service or study abroad. In short, community colleges offer their students a broad array of possibilities for earning credits and earning

So you want to go to college but can’t afford it. Perhaps you don’t want to take out loans that will take decades to pay off. Or maybe you don’t think you’d get many (or any) scholarships or grants because your grades are good enough but not that great or because you make just enough money not to be considered in great financial need.

If the President has his way, none of this will matter.

In January, in his State of the Union Address, President Obama outlined a $60 billion plan to make community college free for everyone. While ‘everyone’ doesn’t actually mean everyone, the plan would still open many doors for students who may not otherwise be able to attend college.

What are the Criteria?

The criteria for a tuition-free community college under the Obama plan are straightforward. Students must maintain a 2.5 GPA, which leads to a smattering of Bs and Cs – grades that most students quickly achieve. Attendance must be at least half-time, which is typically considered to be six or more credit hours each semester. That’s just two classes per semester, which is easily achievable by most students, even those who work or have other obligations outside of school. In short, students who put in the effort would get a free education.

There is, however, a third criterion. To limit the program's long-term costs, the plan would be