Dear Commons Community,

The latest survey/study of college freshmen is now available from the Higher Education Research Institute and can be downloaded at:

http://graphics8.nytimes.com/packages/pdf/education/Freshman_Norms_Fall_2009.pdf

I have not read the study but the NY Times is reporting today that the major issues facing incoming freshmen are financial related to the economy, paying for their college tuition, and applying for student loans.  The article stated:

“About two-thirds of incoming students said they had “some” or “major” concern about their ability to pay for their education. The percentage of those with “some” concern — 55.4 — was at its highest level since 1971.”

The article is available at:  http://www.nytimes.com/2010/01/21/education/21college.html?th&emc=th

Tony