Paying for College

* Education Times (“The ABCs of Paying for College,” Nov. 1) missed California’s gold--the community colleges. The community colleges are California’s real powerhouse for affordable access to higher education in the state. The cornucopia of colleges unforgivably did not list the 106 community colleges that enroll over 1 million students in higher education, more than all of the students at the California State University or University of California systems. It is critical to inform parents and students that 60% to 85% of the graduates from the CSU system and approximately 35% of the graduates from the UC system accomplished their first two years of college at the local community college.

“Easing the worry of college tuition” starts at the community college, where tuition is approximately $180 per semester (or approximately $14 per unit). Can you transfer? You bet! Over 2,000 community college students entered UCLA this fall alone. Check it out--lots of citizens of our state attained a bachelor’s degree because of the community college system.

JOAN CLEMONS, Director

Community College Programs

UCLA