All articles tagged with #community colleges
California's 2026-27 budget, Newsom's final as governor, includes a surprise $22 billion boost for TK-12 and community colleges, lifting Prop 98 per-student funding to a record $20,427 and funding one-time and ongoing programs—such as sustaining community schools, teacher residencies, reading screenings, and expanded college and career pathways—while awaiting May revisions and legislative negotiations amid potential federal cuts.
Most American college students are not the stereotypical image of wealthy, on-campus students; instead, many attend community colleges, take online courses, work, or care for children, with significant financial challenges including high student debt, especially among women and minorities.
The proposed 'Big Beautiful Bill' aims to tighten eligibility for Pell Grants by requiring full-time enrollment, potentially affecting hundreds of thousands of community college students who rely on these funds for their education, amid broader efforts to cut government spending and reduce student aid.
Undergraduate enrollment in the U.S. has increased by 2.1% this fall, marking the first total increase since 2020. However, freshman enrollment declined by 3.6%, particularly affecting white students and highly selective institutions. Graduate enrollment rose by 0.7%, with growth in graduate certificate programs. Community college enrollment increased by 4.4%, driven by dual-enrollment programs. Female enrollment grew at a slower rate than male enrollment. The report suggests that shifting demographic trends and the impact of the pandemic on K-12 education may be contributing to the decline in traditional-age and white freshmen. Community colleges are experiencing a rebound, with an emphasis on shorter-term degrees and workforce pathways.
California Governor Gavin Newsom has signed a new law allowing low-income Mexican residents living within 45 miles of the California-Mexico border to attend certain community colleges in the state at in-state tuition rates. The pilot program, set to begin next year and run until 2029, aims to make education more accessible for low-income students and prepare them for jobs. The legislation requires students to be either US or Mexican citizens with a required visa. The move comes as part of efforts to address the high cost of living in California and ensure that talented students are not lost due to financial constraints. Additionally, Newsom signed a separate law raising the minimum wage for healthcare workers to $25 per hour over the next decade.
California Governor Gavin Newsom has signed a bill allowing low-income students living within 45 minutes of the California border in Mexico to receive in-state tuition at certain community colleges. The bill, introduced by Assemblymember David Alvarez, is modeled after a Texas law and aims to provide educational opportunities for students who may be U.S. citizens but cannot afford to live in California. The pilot program will start next year and run until 2029, benefiting 150 students at partner community colleges in San Diego and the Imperial Valley.
California Governor Gavin Newsom has signed a bill allowing low-income students living within 45 minutes of the California border in Mexico to receive in-state tuition at certain community colleges. The bill, introduced by Assemblymember David Alvarez, is modeled after a Texas law and aims to provide educational opportunities for students who may be U.S. citizens but cannot afford to live in California. The pilot program will start next year and run until 2029, benefiting 150 students at eight partner community colleges in San Diego and the Imperial Valley.
California Governor Gavin Newsom has signed a new law allowing low-income Mexican residents living within 45 miles of the California-Mexico border to be eligible for in-state tuition rates at certain community colleges in Southern California. The pilot program aims to make education more accessible for these residents and prepare them for jobs, with community college boards required to submit a report by 2028 on the attendance rate and demographics of students benefiting from the program.
Enrollment at Michigan colleges is declining at a higher rate than the national average, with a 2.2% drop from the previous spring compared to the national decline of less than 1%, according to a report by the National Student Clearinghouse Research Center. Private four-year colleges saw the steepest decline with a 4.5% drop, while public four-year universities experienced a 1.5% drop, and community colleges dropped 2.8%. The decline in enrollment is attributed to a new set of factors that are preventing students from returning to campuses, according to the executive director of National Student Clearinghouse Research Center.
California Governor Gavin Newsom has revised funding for TK-12 and community colleges downward by $2 billion for the coming fiscal year due to a $31 billion shortfall in the general fund. The budget includes $106.8 billion for school districts and community colleges through Proposition 98, nearly $4 billion less than two years ago. However, the University of California and California State University will receive 5% bumps to their base funding. Newsom also committed to funding the full 8.2% cost of living adjustment. The budget includes proposals for dyslexia screening, an equity multiplier, and child care.
Community colleges in the US are facing an enrollment decline of 37% since 2010, with fewer than half of students earning any kind of credential. Critics argue that poor success rates and faceless bureaucracies are to blame, while advocates defend community colleges as serving students who need the most support but without the money to provide it. The spurning of community colleges has implications for the national economy, which relies on their graduates to fill many of the jobs in which there are shortages.
Community colleges in the US are facing an enrollment decline of 37% since 2010, with fewer than half of students earning any kind of credential. Critics argue that poor success rates and faceless bureaucracies are to blame, while advocates defend community colleges as serving students who need the most support but without the money to provide it. The spurning of community colleges has implications for the national economy, which relies on their graduates to fill many of the jobs in which there are shortages.
First Lady Jill Biden will be touring Southern Maine Community College with Maine Governor Janet Mills as part of her ongoing efforts to promote community colleges and their role in providing accessible education and job training opportunities.