Leaving College - What's Behind the Decision

Money (or lack thereof) is behind the decision to leave college for many students.

In a survey released this week by Public Agenda and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, students also noted that to get students like them to go to college, higher education and society should improve and emphasize flexible scheduling and financial aid for part-time students as much as on cutting college prices.

The goal of the survey is to provide student viewpoints in a set of policy discussions around college access and completion that are often dominated by higher education officials and policy makers, said Jean Johnson, who directs Public Agenda's education efforts.

The survey also finds that another barrier for many of those leaving college is the need to work to support themselves and their families. Over one-third of respondents who previously left an institution and wanted to re-enroll explained scholarships covering their tuitions and books still would not be enough.

While education is supposed to be the answer for young people trapped on the lower end of our economy, what happens when they can't access it because of that economy? According to this survey, higher education becomes a pipe dream that passes them by.