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Back to To the Point

To the Point

Student Aid and College Failure

As the gap grows between the rich and the poor in America's evolving economy, financial aid for college is supposed to be a great equalizer, but it's not working out that way. While 70 percent of wealthiest students graduate, just 26 percent of the poorest make it, even with $226 billion in aid for the academically qualified.

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By Warren Olney • May 12, 2014 • 1 min read

As the gap grows between the rich and the poor in America's evolving economy, financial aid for college is supposed to be a great equalizer, but it's not working out that way. While 70 percent of wealthiest students graduate, just 26 percent of the poorest make it, even with $226 billion in aid for the academically qualified. Dropouts are left with tens of thousands of dollars in student-loan debt, but without diplomas to get good jobs to help pay it off. Is it time to reform student aid so it helps improve future prospects instead of making them worse?

  • https://images.ctfassets.net/2658fe8gbo8o/AvYox6VuEgcxpd20Xo9d3/769bca4fbf97bf022190f4813812c1e2/new-default.jpg?h=250

    Warren Olney

    former KCRW broadcaster

  • https://images.ctfassets.net/2658fe8gbo8o/AvYox6VuEgcxpd20Xo9d3/769bca4fbf97bf022190f4813812c1e2/new-default.jpg?h=250

    Evan George

    Director of Content, News

  • KCRW placeholder

    Kerry Cavanaugh

    editorial writer at the Los Angeles Times

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    Gideon Brower

    Independent Producer

  • KCRW placeholder

    Jason DeParle

    New York Times

  • KCRW placeholder

    David Longanecker

    Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education

  • KCRW placeholder

    Barmak Nassirian

    independent policy analyst

    NewsNationalPolitics
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