Higher education has long been seen as a ticket out of poverty for low-income students. And in today’s competitive work environment, a college degree is more important than ever for securing a place in the middle class. The number of low-income students enrolling at four year schools has grown around 20-percent over the past several decades. But while more of those kids are making it to college, graduating is still a struggle.Only 24-percent of low-income students enrolled at public four-year colleges graduate on time according to the Council of Independent Colleges.
Current State talks with Michigan State University provost June Youatt and Leo Ornelas, a senior majoring in criminal justice.