More students choosing community colleges in tough economy
As a pre-teen, Dan Freitas had his college plans all figured out.
The Webster Thomas High School senior, now 18, has wanted to major in marine biology since falling in love with oceanic wildlife during family trips to South Carolina. He looked at schools on both coasts and felt an instant connection with Coastal Carolina University, minutes from Myrtle Beach.
Then he looked at the bottom line. Paying $18,090 for out-of-state tuition, plus $6,770 for room, board and fees, and $1,044 for books and supplies equaled a financial nightmare for his family.
“It was a little depressing to see how much it would cost because I always wanted to go to school by the ocean. But with the economy the way it is, that wasn’t going to happen,” said Freitas. “But then I talked to my family and counselors and found out I had another option.”
He will take basic requirements at Monroe Community College and then transfer those credits to Coastal Carolina.
Many students, like Freitas, are making difficult decisions about their education because of the recession. A survey by the National Association of College Admission Counseling released last week stated that 37 percent of responding high school counselors said more students planned to attend community college instead of four-year schools. Seventy-one percent also reported that more students are forgoing their “dream schools” this year for less expensive options.
“It’s a hard decision and a lot of students are talking to their families, trying to make the best choice for the money and unfortunately having to say no to that big, popular four-year university,” said Susan A. Stacy, Freitas’ counselor at Webster Thomas. “In this economic climate, students can’t always afford their No. 1 pick.”
Boom time
Those tough decisions are translating into higher-than-expected enrollments for area community colleges, where students can complete basic requirements before applying to more expensive four-year schools. “As people start losing their jobs or get forced into part time, we say in the business (that) a down economy is good for community colleges,” said Ginny Taylor, vice president for student and enrollment services for Genesee Community College, which is projecting a record enrollment of 6,681 this fall.
MCC predicts a 9 percent enrollment increase this fall, eclipsing last year’s high by more than 1,432 students. The incoming class would be around 17,394, more the double the number of students a decade ago.
“Parents are seeing their 401(k)s vanish or are dealing with just being laid off and they are telling their soon-to-be freshman college student that they need to take a look at community colleges,” said Anthony Felicetti, associate vice president for academic affairs at MCC.
A full-time MCC student pays $2,900 plus fees. By comparison, University of Rochester tuition is $37,870, Rochester Institute of Technology is $28,866 and Syracuse University costs $30,470. Room and board adds an additional $10,000, but most students don’t pay full price. For example, RIT offers more than $100 million of direct aid, not including loans, for the fall.
Finger Lakes Community College reported an almost 4 percent increase in full- and part-time applications and is projecting a record enrollment of 5,970 students, said Carol Urbaitis, vice president of enrollment management.
Public colleges are also seeing increased interest in this down economy. Nearly 60 percent of the NACAC survey respondents reported more students planned to attend public versus private schools this fall.
The State University College at Brockport saw its applications increase from 8,565 to 8,694 At the State University College at Geneseo, applications were up from 12,062 last fall to 12,356 this year.
Making a choice
Sarah Jonas, a junior at Penfield High School, wants to teach elementary school after college.
But she has concluded that living on a college campus at her dream school would put a vise grip on her family’s finances, and she decided against attending a four-year school during her freshman year.
“When you add everything up, it didn’t make sense for me to spend $10,000 a year just for a dorm room and to be a few hours away from my parents. I’ve got a room at home and it’s going to have to do for now,” said Jonas.
Freitas, who came to a similar conclusion, also factored in his financial situation after college.
“I’ve had cousins go to college and they joke about how much debt they are now in, and I didn’t want that for my life,” he said. “Being at MCC my first two years, I can save so much money.”
Jonas also plans to attend MCC in fall 2010. Her job at a local Rite Aid helped her to decide.
“It isn’t until you start working that you realize how fast your money goes,” said Jonas. “It gave me a better appreciation for what my family is doing and made the decision of choosing a community college easier.”
Her father, Mike, said that although the family was willing to make any financial sacrifice to give Jonas the best education possible, they also preached using financial common sense.
“When I went to school, the culture was that you had to pay your own way and that it wasn’t a guarantee that your family would kick in anything,” said Mike Jonas. “Things have obviously changed and especially in these economic times, families have to find creative ways to pay for college since it isn’t getting any cheaper.”
