Families can get help from a number of sources. This website is a great place to start. Libraries and high school guidance offices offer resources and assistance. In addition, many communities have a federally funded Educational Opportunity Center with trained counselors to help students and parents through the admissions and financial aid process. Community colleges offer only vocational education.
Community colleges provide a wide range of educational options, all at a low cost to students.
In addition to career and technical education, community colleges offer the first two years of academic course work to transfer to a four-year institution. They also help workers upgrade their skills and provide courses for lifelong learning and personal enrichment. Open admissions, nearby locations, a wide array of courses, flexible class schedules, and low tuition prices make community colleges readily accessible to everyone. Generally, state policy makers set tuition for public institutions. Tuition decisions are driven by the funding colleges receive from the state.