Community College Students Face Higher Costs, Often Forgo Available Financial Help
Textbooks have significantly increased in price, according to data discussed at a meeting of community college student leaders from across Illinois held this past Tuesday at the Illinois Central College Peoria campus.
The Student Advisory Committee (SAC) is part of the Illinois Community College Board, an Illinois government panel that helps create policies for community colleges across the state. At the recent SAC meeting, student trustees from across Illinois came to report what was happening on their campuses and to discuss finances relating to students.
In the meeting, it was noted that there has been a 41% increase in the price of college textbooks. Other data showed that 47% of college students interviewed said they skipped food or other necessities due to college expenses.
Illinois Central College Student Trustee, Leon Belmont, commented on the meeting saying, “The focus of the SAC and other state organizations to help lower the costs of textbooks really highlights the importance of affordable education to the state of Illinois.”
Also, nearly half of students interviewed stated that they were not aware they qualified for the Federal Pell Grant, a way to help college students with exceptional financial need pay for school without having to take on debt. You can find out more information to see if you qualify for the Pell Grant by visiting https://icc.edu/admissions/financial-aid/cost-of-attending/grants/.