Predictions 2015: Rising costs and budget cuts will make college further out of reach for low-income students

The cost of higher education is increasing steadily with the burden of tuition increases falling disproportionately onto low-income students. The $2 billion budget gap facing Washington state lawmakers this upcoming session, coupled with the necessary mandate to fund K-12 education, will likely mean further cuts in higher education and more of the cost being passed to students. At the same time, in line with the recent College Opportunity Summit convened by the White House, Washingtonians can expect attention to college access to build statewide in 2015.

Fortunately, this region is one of the most generous in the nation, with Seattle ranked as the Number 1 most generous city, according to Blackbaud’s ranking of the Most Generous Online U.S. Cities. Bellevue also ranked in the top 10 in the same report.

Achievement rates for low-income students will not get better in 2015 without interventions from foundations, nonprofits, schools and governments working together. Washington state needs to take a leadership stance rather than falling farther behind. In the coming year, this market can anticipate more organizations devoting resources to helping low-income student get to and through college as demanded by expected budget cuts, but facilitated by increasing philanthropic giving designated for education.