Although community colleges are significantly more affordable than four-year institutions, tuition, administration fees, living costs, and book expenses can add up quickly. Unfortunately, according to 2008 research conducted by the Project on Student Debt, one out of 10 community college students cannot access federal student loans. For these students, Pell Grants often become the primary source of education funding.

However, if your community college offers federal student loans – which the majority of large, public, non-rural campuses do – then you may want to consider federal work-study (FWS) programs, which are also known as Formula Grants.

Unlike other forms of financial aid that are strictly given as grants and loans, the work-study program helps fund your education through your working efforts. The federal government provides your community college with specific grants, and then your campus works with community and nonprofit organizations to create job opportunities for qualified students. You are paid an hourly wage for your work, which is typically higher than the minimum wage.

The advantages of work-study programs

Garnering real-life experience

Attending community college prepares you for the real world, and with a work-study program, you can take that preparation to the next level. Due to the supply of work-study jobs, you are essentially “guaranteed” a job if you qualify for the FWS program. Due to employers' significant incentives, you are more likely to be hired for your job of choice under the FWS program.

Graduating from college with a degree is no longer sufficient for

Congratulations! Enrolling in your first semester of community college marks an important milestone in your professional career. Building your academic accomplishments and technical skills creates the springboard for your future work endeavors.

However, for many students, the first semester of community college is not met with flying colors. In fact, according to 2007 research by the Policy Analysis for California Education (PACE), approximately six out of 10 community college freshmen with high school diplomas drop out after the first semester! Therefore, it is important to understand what to expect in your first semester of community college; this will help with supporting your transition and long-term academic success.

This video illustrates one student's experiences during her first semester at community college.

Choose the appropriate classes

Although you will most likely be asked to take placement tests, you will also have great freedom in choosing the classes at community college. It is essential that you carefully evaluate your academic abilities – as well as your long-term interests – to determine what your first-semester course load should be.

Are you looking to transfer to a four-year institution from your community college? If so, your first-semester curriculum will differ from the student planning to enter the workforce with an Associate’s degree. If your ultimate goal is to transfer to a four-year college, then it is essential to begin planning within the first semester. You generally only want to take

Why Accreditation Matters: Securing Your Educational Investment and Future Career

The options abound when choosing which college is right for you. Many students choose between a community college, a technical college, or a four-year institution. Although all these institutions can provide a solid education, not all colleges are created equal. Accreditation is one of the main elements that differentiate between colleges’ levels of scholarly quality.

What is accreditation?

Accreditation is an important distinction in the realm of colleges and universities. According to the US Department of Education, the purpose of accreditation is to certify that the education given by institutions meets national quality standards. Therefore, if a college you are considering has national accreditation, then this demonstrates that the institution has met the standards of quality set forth by the US Department of Education.

This video explains accreditation.

Fundamentally, accreditation ensures that you are obtaining a quality education – and for your future employers and graduate programs to recognize your education. If the college does not have accreditation, you may want to think twice about enrolling.

Why accreditation is important

When choosing a college, accreditation is essential for many factors – including the financial aid you can obtain and even the job you will get upon graduating. Subsequently, accreditation is an element of your college decision that cannot be taken lightly. If the institution you attend is not accredited, then you are subject to

Debating Access: The Complexities of Immigrant Scholarships in Community Colleges

It is no secret that college admissions are becoming more competitive. As the children of the baby boomer era enter their college years, the sheer number of applicants is overwhelming.

Since 2000, each year, we have seen record numbers of applications. For example, the University of California in 2007 saw more than 110,000 applications – a historically record-breaking statistic. According to NYU, their 2007 applications increased by 8.5% in 2007, which also marked record highs.

How can you stand out from the crowd of 4.5-wielding valedictorians, speech and debate captains, and decathlon champions? The answer is quite easy: get competitive with a college edge – a community college edge, that is.

Using community college classes to strengthen your application

College admission committees evaluate your application to answer one looming question: will this student be at our esteemed institution? Demonstrating your academic skills in high school classes, whether you are taking regular, honors, or AP courses, is undoubtedly essential. However, excelling at high school courses does not guarantee your ability to stay competitive at the college level.

Standing out from the crowd of applicants means demonstrating your academic prowess at a college level. You can easily make your application shine by taking courses at your local community college. With the variety of classes, you can take courses at night, online, or even on the weekend – making it easy to fit into your schedule.

You should speak with your