This report says that we have more young people in our nation's colleges than ever before - over 15 million. However, many more parents want their children to go to college. As well, more middle school and high school students want to go to college. The report also tells us that more students are taking the challenging courses that they need to take to get ready for college. Yet, many students who want to go to college don't start preparing early enough.
Middle school needs to be a key starting point.
The report also makes the very important point that going to college makes a real difference when it comes to bringing home a paycheck. On average, a college graduate makes more than a high school graduate and twice as much as a high school dropout. I also want to promise all of the students here that if they work hard to get ready for college, we will make sure that the financial aid is available so that you can go to college. There is no reason for any of you to give up your dream of going on to college because you think that your family can't afford it. We will be there to help you.