UNC campuses report students dropping out of college as fees rise - Associated Press

Government budget-cutting and tough family finances are forcing hundreds of students to drop out of North Carolina public universities, delaying or even ending their progress toward a prosperous career. More than 500 students at the University of North Carolina at Pembroke left or did not return this fall because they couldn't pay their tuition bill, campus officials said. The students who dropped out were academically eligible, but the money wasn't available, The News & Observer reported Sunday (http://bit.ly/py6nv9). "It was tragic, almost, to see that many not able to continue," said UNCP Provost Ken Kitts. Although more students qualify for financial aid as parents lose jobs, less money is available as the UNC system's overall state funding dropped by 15.6 percent this year. About 5,500 fewer students will receive financial aid from the state.