The Financial Aid Form

Between the recession and the rising cost of college, more families than ever are paying for professional help with the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (Fafsa).

Although the time it takes to fill out the form has decreased, the many questions are scaring off families most in need, preventing some teenagers from going to college. Various people, however, have decided that the help was worth the cost.

Critics say that the form does a poor job of assessing financial worth because it excludes assets and does not factor in all issues. As a result, President Obama promised to eliminate Fafsa. But the future is not clear on how the situation will be resolved.

Black Campuses in Crisis

The economy has severely affected historically black colleges and universities. Morris Brown College is a prime example of the damage that has taken place. Down to 151 students and $30 million in debt, this institution only narrowly missed having its water shut off for the second time this school year. You can read about it here.

Although colleges and universities of all kinds across the country are facing a crisis, historically black institutions have two significant disadvantages when it comes to dealing with hard times: smaller endowments, which mean heavier reliance on tuition and fees, and a higher proportion of disadvantaged students who are now facing a credit crunch when they apply for loans.

Having a proud lineage, historically black colleges and universities will tough it out to provide an environment in which black students who might otherwise have trouble graduating can flourish.

Student Expectations

Most students these days expect a good grade for working hard. Otherwise, there would be no point in trying. However, the quality of work is often forgotten.

Some professors believe that their college students have an increased sense of entitlement due to increased parental pressure, competition among peers and family members, and achievement anxiety.

There is no real explanation for this occurrence, but professors hope to re-teach students about what education is.

Colleges Aid Job Search

I feel sorry for the graduating college seniors this year. The long and painful process of finding a job will be even harder for them during the recession. Fortunately, campus career centers are helping students get through it.

For example, New York University recently began offering a seminar called “Recession-Proof Your Job Search.” This class advises students to focus on fields in which sales are up and on services or products that people will not abandon, such as alcohol and beverages. Other tips include going into fields that have been historically recession-proof.

Students may not land their dream jobs right away, but any job will help them make contacts and gain skills.

Utah to Keep Smart Students

Utah is trying to keep its smart students within its borders by giving them a 5 percent tax credit for the cost of their tuition and fees.

This incentive should allow students to afford Utah's public colleges and universities. The struggling economy may benefit from this bill as well.

Keeping the brightest minds in the state will help stimulate the economy in Utah and form a better society founded on education. The only downside is that Brigham Young University, Westminster College, and other private schools are not included in the bill.

Julio Osegueda's Question

Taking a break from hard college news, I discovered an entertaining clip from USA Today. It was of State College communications major Julio Osegueda, 19, jumping up and down with delight after being the last person to ask President Barack Obama a question at a town hall meeting in Fort Myers, Florida. You can read about it here.

It's interesting how an enthusiastic college freshman like Osegueda can make a difference. This event shows us that everyone has the ability to impact society.

R.O.T.C. Back to School

The Reserve Officers' Training Corps (R.O.T.C.) is an elective at Buffalo Grove High School designed to focus on leadership development, problem solving, strategic planning, and professional ethics.

No wonder the Supreme Court unbanned the program at elite universities like Yale and Harvard in March 2006.

Most of our nation's senators, and presidents come from prestigious universities that didn't advocate uniforms on campus. This shows how dangerously out of touch the elites who shape our national policy have become with the men and women they send to war. Hopefully, R.O.T.C. will rebuild a connection between America's military and its most selective colleges.

African Americans Less Likely

The A.P. program is growing steadily, but not as evenly, across the country. There is still an ethnic gap that exists in American education.

The College Board reports that while Hispanic, Asian, and white students are improving, African Americans are behind when it comes to taking A.P. exams. No state has yet gained ground in this issue, however, the number of low-income students taking these exams have gone up.

With the recession weighing us down, it is essential that we use every available resource provided for us. The economic benefits of the A.P. program can help with cutting those college costs.