Economic woes give two-year colleges a boost - Adrienne Nettles and Ashley Hopkinson, Montgomery Advertiser

The U.S. economic downtown has forced many state colleges in Alabama to raise tution, but officials are hopeful the increas­es won't hurt enrollment, which has held steady despite increas­es in recent years. The news is better for state community and technical col­leges, which haven't raised their tuition rates in five years. They are seeing a surge in en­rollment, said a spokeswoman for the Alabama Community College System. Locally, summer enrollment at H. Councill Trenholm State Technical College is up by 10 percent -- 1,158 students com­pared to 1,049 last year. Enrollment surges at two-year colleges, especially those that offer training in specialized trades, are likely because people are seeking training that will help them find work in a limited job market, said Sam Munner­lyn, president of Trenholm.