ATLANTA— The state’s technical colleges are seeing a dip in enrollment after years of record-busting admissions.
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported that enrollment at the 25 campuses is down by more than 12,000 after the state cut HOPE scholarship awards for students who once had their entire tuitions covered. Technical colleges charge $75 per credit, with HOPE covering $60.75 of that, a small difference that can mean big debt for the working adults with families who fill technical college classes.
Ron Jackson, commissioner of the Technical College System of Georgia, said the 12 percent drop also is likely because the economy is improving. Technical colleges see enrollment bumps during a weak economy because the unemployed return to school for new skills and careers.
Enrollment has grown by about one-third since 2008.