confronting cost

As part of our weeklong series on community colleges, "College Material," host of WGBH's Greater Boston Jim Braude weighs in on whether community colleges should be free. 

Community colleges have long operated in the shadows of more expensive, elite four-year colleges, but worries about the cost of college are now drawing students to these two-year programs. A new survey by WGBH News shows Americans believe strongly that community colleges are essential to providing families with opportunities.

A new survey from WGBH News finds that the majority of Americans would recommend two-year community colleges over a four-year program to high school students borrowing for college.

For decades, the Perkins Loan program has helped poor students pay for college. But without Congressional action, the country's oldest federal student loan program could end this week, affecting thousands of low-income students.

Suffolk University’s new president Margaret McKenna says she’s committed to urban issues and college access and affordability. McKenna joined Jim Braude and Margery Egan in the WGBH studio and answered questions about college affordability and student debt.

Since the Great Recession, postponing retirement is becoming more common in some professions, including higher education. A new survey shows two thirds of college professors now plan to work past the age of 67. That trend comes with serious consequences.

Hillary Rodham Clinton is on the campaign trail in New Hampshire, pushing her policy proposals for student loan reform. Clinton is taking a page from the progressive playbook.

If you’ve been on a college campus lately, you might have noticed a few amenities - fancy welcome centers, golf courses, and saunas. Of course, these things cost money and therefore tuition and fees. But are they responsible for rising tuition?

Corporate America is increasingly partnering with online higher education. First, it was Starbucks and Arizona State University. Then, it was Chrysler-Fiat and Strayer University in Virginia. Just this month, Chipotle got wrapped up in the movement. More businesses are paying for their workers to go to college, and employees are taking advantage of the opportunity.

Wednesday was former Congressman Marty Meehan’s first day on the job as president of the University of Massachusetts. He's the system's 27th president, but its first graduate to lead the university. Meehan spent his first day meeting with students.