— ANNISTON, Ala. (AP) — Alabama community colleges are having a tougher time funding services and employee payroll amid state budget cuts and declining enrollment.
The Alabama Department of Postsecondary education reports that early 97,000 students are enrolled in the state's community colleges for this fall. That marks a significant decrease from the 102,000 students enrolled in 2010.
The Department says state community colleges will see their budgets decrease by 2.4 percent and tuition will increase by nearly 1.9 percent.
The Anniston Star reports (http://bit.ly/JIP2DI ) that community colleges across the state experienced increases in enrollment during the recession, but are now seeing fewer students interested in attending.
American Association of Community Colleges spokeswoman Norma Kent says changes in the economy are to blame. She says increased employment is discouraging students from enrolling in community colleges.
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