Mother told her “the only way to get away from poverty was to go to college”. Rural students are being squeezed even further into fewer college options. University of Alaska has cut more than 40 academic programs. Several states are merging universities, many of which serve rural students. Funding shortfalls and dwindling enrollment are cited as reasons for cuts. Emporia State projects $5.6 million budget gap this year; Henderson State reports $78 million deficit.
