WARWICK, R.I. (AP) - A Rhode Island college says there has been a 47 percent increase in enrollment in its second year of a free college tuition program.
Sara Enright, vice president of student affairs at the Community College of Rhode Island, tells The Providence Journal that 2,321 new students started in September.
Enright says the college saw increases particularly among students from low-income families and students of color. Students of color make up 40 percent of this year’s class, a 63 percent increase from last year.
The college is part of Rhode Island Promise, which offers two years of free tuition to full-time students who maintain a 2.5 grade point average.
Officials say 22 percent of last year’s class will graduate on time, compared to the national average of 12 percent.
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