Storms Cause Concern About Future Enrollment

Colleges along the hurricane-ravaged Gulf Coast, particularly in hard-hit Louisiana, are anxious to learn just how many students are interested in enrolling on their campuses next fall. Although some of the schools that escaped relatively unscathed are reporting similar or even higher application numbers to previous years, some of those more severely damaged are preparing for lower numbers of applicants. Because most colleges rely on tuition revenue to keep things running, maintaining enrollment is a vital part of the recovery of the schools affected by Hurricane Katrina.

Already, students have begun to return to their college studies by taking online classes, taking classes through other schools in the immediate area or even in other locations around the country. Although many have indicated their intentions to return to New Orleans-area colleges, admissions officers are cautiously optimistic that they will do so.

An article on the USA Today web site offers more information.