Can Scholarships and Emergency Aid Fix Two-Year College Enrollment?

Can Scholarships and Emergency Aid Make a Difference in Two-Year College Enrollment?

By Matt Konrad

For many students, two-year colleges offer a convenient and affordable path to higher education. Community colleges, vocational-technical institutions, and trade schools provide opportunities to earn valuable credits at a lower cost and closer to home than traditional four-year universities. They serve as a valuable resource for working parents, career changers, and high school students looking to jumpstart their college education.

Despite these advantages, enrollment at community and technical colleges in the United States has been on the decline for over a decade, with a significant drop during the COVID-19 pandemic. The number of students decreased from a peak of 7 million in 2010 to 4.4 million in 2021 and 2022, according to NSC Research Center.

An article from the Seattle Times highlighted the concerning trend, noting that despite the lower tuition costs at community colleges compared to four-year universities, many students are turning away from these institutions.

So why are students leaving two-year colleges, and what can be done to reverse this trend?

Factors Contributing to the Decline

Several factors have been identified as contributing to the decline in two-year college enrollment:

• Under-funded academic and financial advising offices that leave students unprepared to address basic issues
• A job market with higher-than-average entry-level wages
• An increasing number of jobs that now require a bachelor’s degree instead of an associate’s degree

Many students who start at a community college with the intention of obtaining a bachelor’s degree do not end up achieving this goal. The transfer rate from two-year to four-year institutions has decreased significantly, posing a challenge for students seeking to advance their education.

These challenges disproportionately affect vulnerable groups of students, including Pell Grant recipients, Hispanic and Black undergraduates, and first-generation college students.

Financial Challenges Faced by Students

While community colleges offer affordable education, many students still face financial stress. A significant percentage of community college students are part of the workforce and report experiencing food and housing insecurity. Balancing work, school, and family responsibilities can be challenging, and financial concerns can derail students’ educational aspirations.

An article from the Chronicle of Higher Education highlighted the increasing financial need among college students in Wisconsin, emphasizing the importance of addressing these gaps to support student success.

Role of Scholarships in Addressing the Crisis

Scholarships and emergency aid programs can play a crucial role in supporting two-year college students facing financial challenges. By supplementing existing aid and addressing unmet financial needs, scholarships can help students stay on track towards their educational goals.

Targeted scholarship programs, such as the PepsiCo S.M.I.L.E. Scholarship, provide support specifically for community college students looking to transfer to four-year universities. These programs not only offer financial assistance but also provide mentoring and career-focused opportunities to enhance students’ academic journeys.

Additionally, incorporating emergency aid components into scholarship programs can ensure that students have access to support during unexpected financial crises, helping them stay enrolled and focused on their studies.

The community college enrollment crisis requires collaborative efforts to provide meaningful support to students and address the challenges they face. Scholarships and emergency aid programs offer a practical solution to help students overcome financial barriers and achieve their academic aspirations.