June 9, 2006

Working-Class Students Increasingly End Up at Community Colleges, Giving Up on a 4-Year Degree

By STEPHEN BURD

Beth Fye had always planned to pursue a bachelor's degree in nursing. But now she is not so sure. After three years at Pennsylvania Highlands Community College here, Ms. Fye is due to graduate in the fall with an associate degree and $7,500 in student-loan debt.

She never thought she would have to take out loans. In fact, in her first two years at Pennsylvania Highlands, Ms. Fye, whose mother doesn't work because of a disability, qualified for a maximum Pell Grant of $4,050.

But

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