http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20051204/SCHOOLS/512040331College divide threatens to keep poor in poverty
Even with aid, expense often keeps needy away
Doug Guthrie / The Detroit News
December 4, 2005
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The divide between the wealthy and poor in college threatens to perpetuate the cycle of poverty for thousands of working poor families.
Complicated aid applications and overlapping deadlines, fears of taking on tuition debts that can reach into the tens of thousands of dollars, and not taking into account extra college life expenses for books, housing and food are among the many barriers that experts say are causing needy families to turn away from higher education.
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The chances of staying in school and getting a degree by age 24 are more than 8 1/2times less likely for a needy student than one whose family has a combined income of more than $95,000, according to Postsecondary Education Opportunity.
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