Saving Berea

From http://TheHardestYear.com : After graduating from high school in rural Kentucky, Natasha Smith applied to and was accepted by the University of Kentucky. She would be one of the first in her family ever to attend college. There was only one problem: her parents had to provide for nine children and couldnt afford even Kentuckys in-state tuition.

Natasha considered her options, including community college and satellite campuses of big state universities. But she says she wanted the college experience, to live away from home on a traditional campus, something that would have been beyond her financial reach but for one small, unique school in the hills of eastern Kentucky.

For more than a century, Berea College has offered free tuition to students who could not otherwise afford it. The school enrolls only financially disadvantaged students and provides full scholarships to its entire student population of more than 1,500. Its primary focus is on residents of Appalachia, though it now enrolls students from around the world.

Its an inspiring endeavor that is under threat by the recent recession.

See the full story at http://TheHardestYear.com

Category:

News & Politics

Tags:

• berea
• college
• kentucky
• recession
• tuition
• education

[Nykhala]

I think there should be a way to keep these colleges free for those who cant afford them through economically tough times. There are many things people can take from you in this world but none can take what has been put in your head. Knowledge is priceless and is a very powerful tool in determing someone's success.

[Nykhala]

I think this is amazing. Through all my years of high school I have never heard of tuition-free colleges. I think it is a shame how few people know about these colleges. I have two very close friends who are taking a year or maybe more off because they cant find a way to pay for college. This is truly a shame and they are really smart girls.

[cassiebrite]

President Shinn's right--I would have had to drop out at $2600 a year. No way I could have continued. Berea gave me such an opportunity to have a college education. My goal is to be able to send my children to the school of their choosing, though I would love for them to have the Berea experience.