From the News You Can Use Archives 07/16/07
Barriers to College Access for the Working Poor
By Chaz V. Smith, CommunicationsA new report from the Institute for Higher Education Policy highlights the continuing disconnect between many higher education and tax policies and the working poor seeking a college degree.
The report defines “working poor” as adults who work at least 25 hours per week and have family incomes at or below 200 percent of the poverty level. Their need to work while in school often forces them to attend school part time which in turn lessens their eligibility for financial aid, and the overall likelihood that they will complete their program of study.
Other barriers to higher education for the working poor identified in the report include:
- lack of evening and weekend hours for student services including advisors, libraries and computer labs
- financial need analysis that allows too little for childcare
- federal tax credits that don't include room, board and book expenses for students enrolled at least half time
Short of public higher education in the U.S. becoming free for all those who qualify, there is no single solution. The report includes a range of recommendations to improve the successful college attendance of the working poor, from tax relief, to focused support for single parents, to a revamping of financial need analysis.
To download a copy of the report, entitled College Access for the Working Poor: Overcoming Burdens to Succeed in Higher Education, please visit the Institute's Web site at http://www.ihep.org.
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Story posted July 16, 2007.
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