WV FLUNKS COLLEGE AFFORDABILITY

(09/08/2006)
While Promise Scholarships have attempted to meet the high costs of a college education in the Mountain State, a new, independent report on higher education flunks West Virginia when it comes to being able to afford college.

Promise Scholarships have now been pared down, trying to save money.

West Virginia was among 43 states that received "F"s for affordability, Two years ago the state was rated at 36.

The study by the National Center for Public Policy and Higher Education also gives the state low grades in other areas, such as college participation and completion rates.

The affordability grade is based on how much of the average family's income it costs to go to college.

In West Virginia, about 45 percent of low-to middle-income families' earnings is used to pay for a four-year public college.

Those families earned about $16,000 a year.

West Virginia received a "C-" for student preparation and a "C+" for degree completion.