Essay about The Pell Grant Program: A Necessity

In the article “Two Years Are Better Than Four” author Liz Addison writes about how community college is a forgotten option for many students in America, and that it is not well advertised like the universities are. She writes about how community college is a great option for students who need a less expensive option, but still want a chance to further their education. Addison also writes about how they allow everyone to attend so you can “just begin”. Community college is a great option for many students because it allows for an affordable option for students to continue their education.

Similarly, in “Two Years Are Better than Four”, Liz Addison argues that Community College is a good option for those who are not prepared for college or are unable to pay for a traditional 4-year degree. “Community college welcome people who comes from different background” (Addison). Because how much affordable Community college is in comparison to a traditional 4-year college. Community College gives hope to those who parents are blue-collar workers trying to give a better future to their children or those like my stepmother, who cannot obtain a four-year degree from medical school because of how much it costs. However, she can look for

After World War II and the establishment of Higher Education Act of 1965, the primary goal of equalizing educational opportunity to lower and middle income students became a national initiative (Mullhern et al. 2015). These initiative were provided through grants and financial aid. However, in recent years student loans have become an important part of the equation. Since the Great Recession in 2008, many states have not invested in higher education at pre-recession levels, which were already low from the previous recession (Mitchell, Palacious & Leachman). This has

Community college is a great institution for students to start their educational journey. Especially when they do not have the funds or lack some of the prerequisite that a university would require. Community college was created to serve the community, traditional and non-traditional students with the best higher education and lifetime learning opportunities. The faculty and staff members at a community college is there to provide leadership in education while going above and beyond to recognize the needs of the students and the community by providing excellent educational programs and support services that are available to all who have the opportunity to take advantage of them. “Student services now include recruitment and retention, counseling, student activities, student health, financial aid, academic support, career centers, transfer centers, and supplemental services such as transportation, child care, and services tailored for specific populations of students” (Cohen, Brawer, & Krisker, 2014, pg. 209). My philosophy in fulfilling the role and mission of the community college, is to establish the mission, vision, goals and values to guide all students on their journey to strive to become successful both in school and in today’s economy.

Community colleges in the United States develop rapidly and have become a vital component of the postsecondary education delivery system. As of 2011-2012 school year, 45% of all undergraduate students were enrolled in public two-year colleges, approximately 8.3 million students (Knapp et al., 2012. Cited by AACC Fast Facts). And it seems that with globalization and Obama’s education agenda, the trend of growing enrollment in community colleges won’t change. A high school graduate who decides to pursue postsecondary education may face with a dilemma--whether enroll in a community college or a traditional four-year college. Even within a community college, a student may be faced with a choice—enroll in a vocational program and enter workforce after graduation with a vocational certification, or choose an academic program with an intention of transferring to four-year institutions.

Abstract: This paper will discuss the Federal Pell Grant and the legislation behind it as well as the Higher Education Act of 1965 and it’s reforms since then. This appears purpose is to show the faults within these programs and to then show possible ways people have tried to reform it. The final part of this paper will be my opinion on how the legislation can be fixed along with using data and information from recent research done on the subject. It is the hopes that these recommendations will then be used to further stabilize this piece of legislation in the future.

Kris, a wife and a mother, worries about the increasing cost of higher education. She and her husband have a two year old daughter whom they are determined to send to college. They want their daughter to succeed in life, but they have to weigh the complications of going to college as well. “I have always thought about college as a “catch 22”...You’re taught from a young age that in order to achieve the “American Dream” you must graduate high school and go to college,” Kris contemplates (Kris 5).Throughout Kris’s ten years of experience with college, she has seen the tuition increase to shocking heights. In fact, she claims that community colleges cost as much as state colleges did when she first started her college hunt. Back then, she

Countless numbers of college freshman transfer out after their first year of studies. Many return, some don't. Unfortunately, many of these students felt displaced and found that their expectations were not met by the university they attended. Attending community school gives students the opportunity to earn college credit while taking the time to select the 4-year institution that is right for them. Because there is little financial investment, most students

Tuition cost plays a vital role in deciding whether to attend a community college or a four year institution. According to Susan Stafford, “Tuition for community colleges is affordable while tuition costs at public institutions are usually at least twice that of a community college” (1). The tuition cost in universities can be overwhelming and highly unaffordable, This have caused many students to graduate with s heavy loads of debt but by attending a community college, an individual can

In the article “The Good That Community Colleges Do, Part 1”, author Rob Jenkins discusses the benefits and values of Community College. Recent studies have shown that the value of two-year colleges were hard to predict. In fact, one report shows that the value of a two-year degree is less than that of a high school diploma, while another report shows that most students are receiving a financial return on their degree. While Rob Jenkins believes both reports have valid points and arguments, he states that “so many of the things that community colleges do for their students and communities are difficult to measure empirically” (“The Good That Community Colleges Do, Part 1”).

Many believe that students should pursue a four-year education or nothing at all, but for some, a two-year education is also suitable. Liz Addison insists that community colleges should be seen as a viable option following high school. Community college acts as a stepping stone for students to get more out of their schooling and work experience. If a student chooses to, enter a two-year college first, they are often better prepared for a four-year college Addison claims. Attending a community college before a liberal arts college allows a student to take, for example, their first college-level English class and psychology class, growing more with every course to prepare them for further education. The community colleges “offer a network of affordable future, of accessible hope, and an option to dream,” Addison asserts. This option gives the students who are unsure of what they want a chance to receive some sort of college education and find what interests them. Furthermore, it gives students who otherwise would not be able to afford a higher education to still attend school post high school.

Hossler and Kwon (2015) examined the three shifts that affected financial aid policies at four year public colleges and universities, which were the economy, federal policy and demographic trends. These trends impacted economic conditions during the various periods. The authors reported that the Servicemen’s Readjustment Act of 1944 was the beginning of the federal government’s involvement in providing financial aid to veterans interested in postsecondary education. During the 1940s and 1960s, this initiative caused an influx of students to enroll in college. This led to the expansion of community colleges. These trends aided in the passage of the next wave of federal programs such the National Student Loan Program, the Educational Opportunity

Along with difficult acceptance requirements, students also struggle financially with college. According to Tugend’s (2015) article, “Community colleges in the United States serve 45 percent of the nation’s undergraduates, many of whom are… minority, low income, and older students (para.12).” Low income families combined with high college tuition rates result in students not being able to attend college because they are struggling financially at home. The article “Community Colleges ‘Rethink Everything’ to Improve Retention (2016)” notes, “Even though community colleges are about one- third the cost of in- state tuition at a public four-year institution, they are still

During the junior year of a student’s high school career, they begin preparation for the future. Preparing, in this case, includes thinking about a lifetime career, taking the SAT and ACT standardized tests, choosing which college(s) they are interested in attending, and submitting various applications for scholarships and for colleges themselves. In addition, many juniors are taking their most stressful and challenging classes since colleges tend to look at junior year grade point averages to aid in the acceptance process. Getting accepted into college and graduating from college is part of the so called “American Dream” and yet it is becoming more difficult to achieve due to student debt rates increasing and income rates coming to a halt. On average, the tuition cost for public universities has risen to $21,000 and the cost for private universities has reached over $40,000 and is continuing to rise (Hart). Due to college tuitions many students are forced into attending community colleges, end up

Life is believed to be easier for people with higher degrees than for those without higher degrees. Hence, it is the joy of parents to see their children admitted into a higher institution. With the high cost attached to attending a four year university, most students prefer to attend community colleges. Community colleges provide the same quality of education offered by universities for the first two years at a lower cost which help students reduce debts toward getting their higher degree. However, compared to the number of students who started their first year in community colleges, a large percentage dropped out. This is common to both freshly graduated high school students and adults who came back to college to obtain a degree. Students drop out of colleges because of financial issues and the need to take remedial courses. As a result, they have self esteem issues and may remain poor.