New research reveals that the expansion of the Pell Grant program is helping students at community colleges—including rural institutions—take more credits, allowing many to shift from part- to full-time status.
The University of Alabama Policy Education Center released a report this month that looks at Kansas as a case study for the impact of the federal student-aid program. It found that as Pell grant dollars given to Kansas students nearly doubled between 2008 and 2010, enrollments at community colleges grew, along with the proportion of students attending full time rather than part time.
Also, federal stimulus money provided to the state in 2009 helped hold tuition prices to 5 percent, further improving access by keeping costs more affordable.
