The reverse was true for workers in high-paying jobs. That's down significantly from 1988, when 70 percent of employers provided such assistance. The picture is grimmer when considering government programs that help people obtain the skills needed to find good jobs. Some federal training programs are bracing for a substantial cut in the next fiscal year. We feel this could be a disaster for the program,'' said Elizabeth Levenson, the director.
Money aimed at more traditional students also is in short supply.
For example, financial aid at the University of Maine has essentially stayed flat since 1992, adjusted for inflation. Tuition, however, has jumped 16 percent in the same period, adjusted for inflation. More and more students are stuck in situations like Carey Hamel's. The rising cost of education is forcing more students into debt to pay for their education. More than two-thirds of Maine students today need some form of financial aid which usually includes a loan to pay for school.