Worcester Business Journal

18 Worcester Business Journal • February 2, 2015 www.wbjournal.com more students than most. It opened facilities in Southbridge, Marlborough and downtown Worcester recently, and is building new space on its main cam- pus for STEM studies (science, technol- ogy, engineering and math). Already, about 40 percent of QCC students attend free because of Pell grants, Carberry said. "For some stu- dents, though, particularly the 'working poor,' there are sometimes challenges to qualifying for student aid. For these students the program might be very helpful, enabling them to take more classes and graduate sooner." After their schooling, she pointed out, they're likely to become homeowners and get better-paying jobs that put taxes back into the community. "In short," Carberry said, "we believe that the relevance of community colleg- es, the affordability and the unique mis- sion that leads both to careers and trans- fer are being recognized by the presi- dent. Whether Congress decides it can support the plan remains to be seen; but we stand ready if it becomes law." Reville noted that the tuition cost of about $5,000 a year isn't quite the problem for many, especially with grants and other forms of assistance available. Some need academic help or guidance. And in terms of finances, he said, lower- and middle-income peo- ple find the costs of transportation, child care, and basic living expenses more daunting. Meanwhile, Reville said, the econo- my needs more people getting advanced education. "The ante has gone up in terms of what's required for the workforce." n Community colleges like Obama plan for free education • The federal government would pay 75 percent of the cost of tuition at two-year community colleges. • States would pick up the remaining 25 percent. • Students must maintain a 2.5 grade-point average (maximum: 4.0), be enrolled at least half-time, and be making steady progress toward a degree. • Community college programs would either be academic programs whose credits fully transfer to local public four-year colleges; or occupational training programs with high graduation rates that lead to degrees and certificates that employers want. • States must also commit to continue existing investments in higher education; coordinate high schools, community colleges, and four-year institutions to reduce the need for remedial and repeated courses; and allocate a "significant" portion of funding based on performance and enrollment. Free college 101 The America's College Promise proposal unveiled by the Obama administration in January contains these provisions: Source: The White House >> Continued from Page 9 "Whether Congress decides it can support the plan remains to be seen; but we stand ready if it becomes law." Gail Carberry, President, Quinsigamond Community College

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