Study: Coronavirus May Keep Poor US Students Away from College

The number of high school students in the United States seeking federal aid to pay for college fell sharply¹ following the sudden closure of school buildings last spring.

The move cut off students in their final year of high school from school guidance counselors². At the time, families struggling with economic hardship began reconsidering plans for higher education.

From the start of the coronavirus health crisis³, the number of new requests for college aid fell by nearly half compared to levels one year earlier. The Associated Press, or AP news agency studied United States government records. It found that the smaller number resulted, in large part, from a sharp drop off among students at schools in low-income areas.

The numbers have risen as states and schools have launched campaigns urging students to seek federal aid for a college education. But the numbers are still down from last year.

This has raised concerns among U.S. education officials who say thousands of students may be choosing to delay or even avoid college. And this might have a serious effect on their future employment and earnings⁴.

"The ... kids are going directly into the workforce⁵. They're closing the door on post-high school learning," said David Nieslanik. He serves as principal of Southridge High School in Beaverton, Oregon. Nieslanik noted⁶ that he saw only students from more wealthy families seek out aid once classes moved online.

The FAFSA is short for Free Application for Federal Student Aid. It is required for students to be considered for federal aid for a college or university education in the U.S. Students are often required to complete the form for state aid as well.

Studies have found students who complete the FAFSA are far more likely to enroll⁷ in college. And those who receive assistance are more likely to stay in college.

The AP found that in the four weeks starting March 13, the number of completed applications was down 45 percent compared to the same period a year ago. The drop was greatest at Title I schools, a federal term for public schools that have larger shares of low-income students.

In general, FAFSA applications were down by 70,000 as of June 19. That represents a 3.7 percent drop for the entire application period.

Even before the health emergency, some states had been expecting to see decreases. Yet as COVID-19 spread, every state had lower numbers compared to 2019 levels.

Schools say the public health crisis affected⁸ the decrease in more than one way. Separated from their schools, students lost contact with advisors⁹ who usually guide them through the complex financial aid process. Families without dependable internet service struggled to complete the form online. And as the U.S. economy weakened, some students took jobs and put college plans on hold.

The timing¹⁰ of the crisis worsened its effect on low-income students, experts say. It came at "the very worst time," said Gregory Cole, principal of the Mojave High School in North Las Vegas, Nevada.

Many parents lost jobs as Nevada's gaming industry suspended operations, and some students took jobs in food stores or eateries. Adding to the problem was the fact many students come from families that had never filed the form.

Once schools closed, guidance counselors could no longer invite students into their offices to talk or ask families to school to explain the FAFSA. Instead, schools were left sending emails that often went unanswered, or they depended on unpredictable video conferencing services to help families with paperwork.

Education officials are urging U.S. students to apply for financial aid over the summer, even if only to see how much money they could receive. The state of North Carolina recently launched a "FAFSA Frenzy¹¹" campaign, while Kentucky is holding "FAFSA Fridays," urging students to apply.

I'm Pete Musto.

Words in This Story

sharply – adv. suddenly and by a large amount

guidance counselor(s) – n. a person who gives help and advice to students about educational and personal decisions

hardship – n. something that causes pain, suffering, or loss

income – n. money that is earned from work, investments or business

principal – n. the person in charge of a public school

enroll – v. to enter someone as a member of or participant in something

application(s) – n. a formal and usually written request for something, such as a job, admission to a school or a loan

frenzy – n. great and often wild or uncontrolled activity

1 sharply   

adj.锐利地，急速；adv.严厉地，鲜明地

参考例句：

• The plane dived sharply and rose again.飞机猛然俯冲而后又拉了起来。
• Demand for personal computers has risen sharply.对个人电脑的需求急剧增长。

2 counselors   

n.顾问( counselor的名词复数 )；律师；（使馆等的）参赞；（协助学生解决问题的）指导老师

参考例句：

• Counselors began an inquiry into industrial needs. 顾问们开始调查工业方面的需要。 来自《现代英汉综合大词典》
• We have experienced counselors available day and night. ) 这里有经验的法律顾问全天候值班。） 来自超越目标英语 第4册

3 crisis   

n.危机，危急关头，决定性时刻，关键阶段

参考例句：

• He had proved that he could be relied on in a crisis.他已表明，在紧要关头他是可以信赖的。
• The topic today centers about the crisis in the Middle East.今天课题的中心是中东危机。

4 earnings   

n.工资收人；利润，利益，所得

参考例句：

• That old man lives on the earnings of his daughter.那个老人靠他女儿的收入维持生活。
• Last year there was a 20% decrease in his earnings.去年他的收入减少了20%。

5 workforce   

n.劳动大军，劳动力

参考例句：

• A large part of the workforce is employed in agriculture.劳动人口中一大部分受雇于农业。
• A quarter of the local workforce is unemployed.本地劳动力中有四分之一失业。

6 noted   

adj.著名的，知名的

参考例句：

• The local hotel is noted for its good table.当地的那家酒店以餐食精美而著称。
• Jim is noted for arriving late for work.吉姆上班迟到出了名。

7 enroll   

v.招收；登记；入学；参军；成为会员（英)enrol

参考例句：

• I should like to enroll all my children in the swimming class.我愿意让我的孩子们都参加游泳班。
• They enroll him as a member of the club.他们吸收他为俱乐部会员。

8 affected   

adj.不自然的，假装的

参考例句：

• She showed an affected interest in our subject.她假装对我们的课题感到兴趣。
• His manners are affected.他的态度不自然。

9 advisors   

n.顾问，劝告者( advisor的名词复数 )；（指导大学新生学科问题等的）指导教授

参考例句：

• The governors felt that they were being strung along by their advisors. 地方长官感到他们一直在受顾问们的愚弄。 来自《现代汉英综合大词典》
• We will consult together with advisors about her education. 我们将一起和专家商议她的教育事宜。 来自互联网

10 timing   

n.时间安排，时间选择

参考例句：

• The timing of the meeting is not convenient.会议的时间安排不合适。
• The timing of our statement is very opportune.我们发表声明选择的时机很恰当。

11 frenzy   

n.疯狂，狂热，极度的激动

参考例句：

• He was able to work the young students up into a frenzy.他能激起青年学生的狂热。
• They were singing in a frenzy of joy.他们欣喜若狂地高声歌唱。