Boost the Base

The Issue: Community colleges are the least funded institutions, per Full Time Equivalent (FTE) student, in higher education. This leaves community colleges struggling to provide the quality education and support services that their students need to succeed. As a result, community college students often face higher barriers to success and completion, and are at a disadvantage when it comes to competing for jobs in the workforce.

The Solution: We need to boost the base of state and federal funding for community colleges, so that they have the resources they need to provide high-quality education and support services to their students. This includes:

Increased State Funding: We need to increase state funding for community colleges to ensure that they can meet the needs of their students and communities. This includes increasing funding for programs like the Student Equity and Achievement Program, which supports underrepresented students and improves student success rates.

Federal Investment: We need to increase federal investment in community colleges, including programs like the Pell Grant program, which provides financial aid to low-income students. We also need to increase funding for programs like the Strengthening Institutions Program, which provides support to institutions serving underrepresented students.

Streamlined Funding: We need to streamline the funding process for community colleges, so that they can access the resources they need more efficiently and effectively. This includes reducing administrative burdens and increasing transparency in the funding process.

By boosting the base of state and federal funding for community colleges, we can ensure that these institutions have the resources they need to provide high-quality education and support services to their students. This will help students overcome barriers to success and completion, and prepare them for the workforce of the future. With a focus on Boost the Base, we can ensure that community colleges are able to provide the education and support services that their students and communities deserve.