ONLINE SCHOOLS

A disturbing revelation has both the federal government and higher education officials scrambling to find solutions.

The problem: Most American students who enroll in college do not complete their college degrees.

If this trend continues, the U.S. will find itself lacking the homegrown intellectual resources that fuel and maintain its competitiveness among developed nations.

According to a new study supported by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, only 20% of community college students and 40% of four-year university students earn their diplomas within 6 years.

The study, “Their Whole Lives Ahead of Them”, highlights some surprising facts and challenges faced by a majority of college students.

• Only a quarter of college students are “traditional students” — those  who enrolled in college right after high school graduation, live in dorms, and have financial aid from various sources, including parents.
• Most students need to work. At least 60% of community college students must juggle 20 or more hours a week along with their classes; and 35% work full time jobs.
• Almost a quarter of college students have dependent children.
• The majority of those who drop out cite problems juggling work, school and family.

A number of solutions to these and other problems are being considered, including making part-time students eligible for federal financial aid.

Also, increasing the availability of online degrees and online classes offers relief for students by:

• reducing the need for working students to attend night and weekend classes by letting them study when it is most convenient.
• reducing the need for child care, since students can study at home after children have gone to bed.
• allowing students to accept any job, instead of just those that fit into the on-campus class schedule.

President Obama seeks to add five million college graduates to the U.S. rosters by the year 2020 by providing assistance, creating options and removing barriers for students.

Hopefully, these and other measures will make all the difference for potential dropouts.

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