The economic imperative for more adults to complete college
Posted on Jun 24, 2011 by JRF
JRF scholar Lisa with her son at graduation
A new paper, Not Just Kid Stuff Anymore: The Economic Imperative for More Adults to Complete College, predicts that there will be a shortage of workers with college degrees by 2018. It calls for federal funding to help adults afford higher education in order to qualify for these jobs.
The paper also details the unemployment rate by level of education. In Georgia, for example, the rate of unemployment for someone with only a high school degree is 11.7%. For someone with a college degree, it is only 5.8%.
“The country’s economic competitiveness rests on more people accessing postsecondary education and credentials,” said Patrick Kelly, coauthor of the report.
Jeannette Rankin Women’s Scholarship Fund is one of only a handful of organizations that help low-income women 35 and older go to school. We see a huge demand; this year about 860 women applied for scholarships. From that group, we could only award scholarships to 80.
Next year we hope to increase the number of scholarships we award, but we need help to do it. Our amazing supporters have changed the lives of more than 600 women, and we look forward to working with more people to help the next 600.
To read the report click here.
To read the AJC article about the report click here.
Tagged: higher education, worker shortage, scholarships, nontraditional students
Comments
I am a 54 year old woman, just getting my GED and have a zeal to attend college for my associate degree. I have been accepted in an University, but as you know the cost of college is on the rise, your contribution is urgent, and I'm willing to share more information about myself leading up to this devine decision in my life as such a latter time in my life.
Hi Marilyn! Our application cycle for 2011 has closed, but if you'll be enrolled in school for the 2012 school year, the application will be available on our website this November. Check back on November 1! Best wishes, April Greene JRF Program Coordinator
