Record numbers of students request financial aid.

One of the pluses of Community Colleges is a program that has expanded dramatically over the last few years known as "guaranteed admission." Students completing their associates degree in Community College are guaranteed admission to further their education at their choice of a long list of schools. In Virginia as in many other states, the community college system has guaranteed admission agreements with most of Virginia’s four year public universities, numerous agreements with in-state private colleges, as well as agreements with some out of state colleges; a total of 25 agreements in all. Students must have an acceptable grade point average which is disclosed in the guaranteed admission agreements.

Community colleges are experiencing some tough growing pains however. The Daily Progress article highlights just some of the staggering numbers they are dealing with in terms of growing enrollment and growing demand for financial aid.

"In addition to the increase in enrollment, another factor in the increased demand for financial aid is the rising price of tuition at Virginia’s community colleges. Tuition has climbed as the state has slashed the colleges’ budgets."