• Latest

Education Is Highly Valued, But Unaffordable

January 21, 2019
F&W’s 2021 Conservation Camp Registration is Open

F&W’s 2021 Conservation Camp Registration is Open

January 19, 2021
Ice Fishing FUNdamentals How to Enjoy Yourself and Stay Safe on the Ice This Winter

Ice Fishing FUNdamentals How to Enjoy Yourself and Stay Safe on the Ice This Winter

January 19, 2021
This Old House

Mouse in the House

January 19, 2021

Buffalo Plaid Fundraiser to Support Local Nonprofits

January 19, 2021

Free Tax Filing at Capstone Community Action for Tax Year 2020

January 19, 2021

Leahy-Led Bipartisan Bill Promoting Affordable Health Insurance Is Signed Into Law

January 19, 2021

Vermont State Labor Council, AFL-CIO Hires First Female Executive Director, Signaling New Direction for VT Labor Movement

January 12, 2021

Vermont Mutual Distributes $1,000,000 to COVID-19 Relief Efforts

January 12, 2021
Hunters Take 6,136 Turkeys in Vermont in 2020

Hunters Take 6,136 Turkeys in Vermont in 2020

January 12, 2021
Additional Ounce, Priority Mail and Postcard Stamps Available Jan. 24

Additional Ounce, Priority Mail and Postcard Stamps Available Jan. 24

January 12, 2021
One Credit Union Donates $12K to Make-A-Wish

One Credit Union Donates $12K to Make-A-Wish

January 12, 2021

Unemployment Benefits Extended with Authorization of Federal Relief Bill

January 5, 2021
  • Home
  • Disclaimer
  • Privacy
  • Sitemap
Wednesday, January 20, 2021
The World Online
  • Home
  • News & Features
    • Local News
    • Letters & opinions
    • George Shuman
    • Max’s View
    • Local Sports & Outdoors
    • Births
    • Weddings & Engagements
  • Calendar
    • Art Exhibits
    • Calendar of Events
    • Ongoing Events
  • Obituaries
  • Submit
    • Submit Calendar Listing
    • Submit An Article To The World
    • Submit Letter To The Editor
    • Submit Sports News/Photo
    • Submit Birth Announcement
    • Submit Engagement Announcement
    • Submit Wedding Announcement
  • Advertising
    • World Rates and Ad Sizes
    • World Distribution Map
    • World Deadlines
    • Audit and Reader Surveys
    • Advertising Inquiry
  • Classifieds
    • Place Classified Ads
    • View Current Classifieds
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • News & Features
    • Local News
    • Letters & opinions
    • George Shuman
    • Max’s View
    • Local Sports & Outdoors
    • Births
    • Weddings & Engagements
  • Calendar
    • Art Exhibits
    • Calendar of Events
    • Ongoing Events
  • Obituaries
  • Submit
    • Submit Calendar Listing
    • Submit An Article To The World
    • Submit Letter To The Editor
    • Submit Sports News/Photo
    • Submit Birth Announcement
    • Submit Engagement Announcement
    • Submit Wedding Announcement
  • Advertising
    • World Rates and Ad Sizes
    • World Distribution Map
    • World Deadlines
    • Audit and Reader Surveys
    • Advertising Inquiry
  • Classifieds
    • Place Classified Ads
    • View Current Classifieds
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
No Result
View All Result
The World Online
No Result
View All Result

Education Is Highly Valued, But Unaffordable

vt-world by vt-world
January 21, 2019
in Letters & opinions
0

By Adriana Eldred

Northern Vermont University – Johnson

Class of 2020

My name is Adriana, and I’m a first-generation college student from a low-income household. Because of this I was not only encouraged to go to college, I was expected to. My parents had seen the struggles associated with not having a degree first-hand. They taught me that through hard work and dedication, I could achieve a post-high school education. When it came time to review my financial aid packages and choose a college, however, it became clear that earning good grades would not be the determining factor in whether or not I would go to college. It would be cost.

Secondary education is essential to succeed in this society. A college degree today is what a high school diploma was a few decades ago. Higher education is no longer optional; it’s necessary. Yet more than half – 63% – of Vermont’s high school graduates from low-income families do not continue to college. The story is not much better for those from higher income brackets, with 42% of all Vermont high school graduates not continuing to college. They simply cannot afford it.

Why? Vermont ranks last in the nation for state funding per student. That means that our tuition is higher here than other state college systems. It is time for our elected officials to better fund our state colleges and help make college affordable for Vermonters.

I have made it work, just barely. I am in my junior year at Northern Vermont University, Johnson, and am double majoring in Studio Arts and Journalism. While I have been able to stay above water, I have seen many of my fellow students drop out because their financial aid bill couldn’t cover all of their tuition expenses. I’ve seen people create go-fund-me campaigns on social media to try and cover expenses. I’ve seen students fail because they couldn’t buy the textbook or the supplies needed for their class. I’ve had friends, full of potential and promise, with the drive to continue their education, drop out because they simply couldn’t afford college any longer.

My college degree will translate into a better career in my adulthood. Vermont is hemorrhaging intelligent, working-age adults because it has created an environment where education is highly valued but unaffordable to access. The fact that Vermont ranks 50th in the nation for higher education funding per student should be unacceptable to every single person in this state. Our lawmakers who head back to Montpelier this month should also find this reality unacceptable and should find it a priority to right this wrong.

While I cannot speak for every college student in the Vermont State College system, I know we all have this in common: we want to be successful, we want to graduate and we want to find good paying jobs. Your sons and daughters. Your grandchildren. And most of us want to do that right here in Vermont. These goals shouldn’t be out of reach for Vermonters because our state chooses not to meaningfully invest in our state college system. Increase funding in our state college system, and you will receive generations of hard working, successful citizens.

Previous Post

If Beale Street Could Talk: *1/2

Next Post

Vermont’s Future Workforce

Next Post

Vermont’s Future Workforce

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This Week’s Ads

  • Home
  • About Us
  • Disclaimer
  • Privacy
  • Sitemap
The World
403 US Route 302
Barre, VT 05641
Phone: (802) 479-2582

Copyright © 2019 The World Online. All Rights Reserved. Powered by CoolerAds.

No Result
View All Result
  • Art Exhibits
  • Audit and Reader Surveys
  • Births
  • Calendar
  • Contact Us
  • Daily Horoscope
  • Fall Dining Guide
  • Food & Recipe
  • Home
  • Obituaries
  • Ongoing Events
  • Pay Your Bill Here
  • Senior Living Edition
  • Showtimes
  • Submit Birth Announcement
  • Submit Calendar Listing
  • Submit Engagement Announcement
  • Submit Listing to our Local Directory
  • Submit Sports News/Photo
  • Submit Wedding Announcement
  • Testimonials
  • The World Coupons
  • Weather Forecast
  • World Deadlines
  • World Distribution Map
  • World Rate Card
  • World Rates and Ad Sizes
  • Disclaimer
  • Privacy
  • Sitemap
  • About Us
  • Vermont Lottery
  • Advertising Information
  • The World Staff
  • Advertising Inquiry
  • Submit Letter To The Editor
  • Local Directory
  • Poll Results
  • Local Deals
  • Classifieds
  • Submit An Article To The World
  • Events
  • The World – This Week’s Online Digital Edition
  • The World Auto & Sports

Copyright © 2019 The World Online. All Rights Reserved. Powered by CoolerAds.

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password?

Fill the forms bellow to register

All fields are required. Log In

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In