Prepping students for higher learning

NORWALK, Conn. (WTNH) -- Helping students get prepared for college: the state has taken new action that can bring some major benefits.

It's all about making sure students get basic courses out of the way now, so they don't have to waste time and money later.

Thousands of young people are registering this week at the state's 12 community college campuses, with strong hopes and desires for the future.

"When I get older I want to be a probation officer or a dental assistant," said Steve Pierre-Louis, of Stamford, "but the hardest part of NCC getting in was the financial aid part."

"I'd like to be a veterinarian and work with animals and the difficult part has probably just been the financial aid," said Alexis Fox, of Norwalk.

However, in many cases young people are not quite prepared for college despite high school diplomas.

"The biggest thing is students need to be college ready," said Robert Baer, Dean of Students, "they need to be prepared to take college level course work and that's one of the major issues that we're seeing right now."

That can mean spending precious tuition dollars on remedial courses over three semesters; courses that don't count toward credit for college graduation and that all important degree.

The state is trying to come to the rescue in an attempt to help Connecticut's young people get the college training they need to get them into the workforce.

Wednesday, the Governor signed into law a bill designed to help with that. It substitutes an intensive college readiness program that lasts no longer than one semester.

"To have students spending grants or scholarships or 'Pell Loans' on non credit courses doesn't make any sense," said Gov. Dannel Malloy.

The change will help students that need extra help without exhausting their financial aid.