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Highlands Today

Slow Economy Weighs On College Choices

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By MARC VALERO

Highlands Today

Published: December 7, 2008

SEBRING - Sebring High School senior Will Broen considered attending an out-of-state college, but decided to stay in Florida to save money.

"I just got accepted to Florida State (University)," he said Thursday. "For a while I was considering applying out of state, but it came down to I'd rather stay in state and save the money. I was thinking about the University of North Carolina, but their out-of-state tuition is pretty high."

Broen earned a Bright Futures Scholarship that will pay for his tuition at FSU, but he continues to seek financial aid to help cover the cost of books, transportation and room and board.

His guidance counselor provided a book with "page after page" of available scholarships, Broen said. "I'm going to apply for as many of those as I can."

Each year, more than 50 percent of the county's college-bound high school graduates opt to stay in Highlands County to attend South Florida Community College. Affordability is among the various reasons they choose SFCC.

With the slowdown in the economy, it appears more students are looking to SFCC to save on their education, according to Sebring High School guidance counselor Jerome Walker.

"A lot of my students are looking at the community college rather than a four-year college. Because of the money situation, it would be better to stay home with the parents and do two years," he said. A Bright Futures Scholarship will pay 100 percent of the tuition at a two-year college.

The counselors will start emphasizing scholarship opportunities and financial aid in February.

The estimated tuition cost for Florida residents to attend two semesters at FSU is $3,784, according to the college. For non-Florida U.S. residents, the cost is $17,916.

The college estimates the total cost at $17,212 for Florida residents to attend two semesters, which includes: tuition, room and board, books/supplies, transportation, health insurance and personal expenses.

An independent report released recently on college affordability gave an F grade to 49 states, including Florida. Only California received a passing grade (C) thanks to its relatively inexpensive community colleges.

Higher education in Florida has become less affordable for students and their families, according to the National Center for Public Policy and Higher Education.

A credit hour for Florida residents at SFCC costs $76.04 cents. The tuition for one semester for a full-time student taking 12 credit hours would be $912.48.

The fees for the vocational and certificate programs are a little less.

Over the years, SFCC's enrollment has included a significant number of non-traditional or adult students. The college is seeing more non-traditional students due to the economic downturn and job losses, according to SFCC Financial Aid Director Susie Johnson.

"We are finding we are getting more students who are out of work," she said. "They're coming back to school to hopefully improve their economical position."

Unfortunately, more students need to borrow money to attend college, she added.

The financial aid money is there, Johnson said. A student may qualify for a Pell Grant or student loan. But sometimes a new student who just lost their job may not qualify for the grant, but they may be able to get a loan.

The national college study noted one bright spot for Florida - completion; the state performs well and has improved in awarding certificates and degrees relative to the number of students enrolled.

Vocational and certificate program completion rates at SFCC have traditionally been very high.

Marc Valero can be reached at 863-386-5826 or e-mail mvalero@highlandstoday.com.

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