PCC TO HELP STUDENTS WHO DROPPED OUT DUE TO HURRICANES

One of the many ways that the hurricanes of 2004 affected our area is that over 1200 part time students at Polk Community College had to drop out in the middle of the semester. And since many of them were attending thanks to federally funded, need-based Pell Grants, they now have to pay those grants back to Uncle Sam because they quit before the end of the semester.

Help may be on the way, as PCC President Larry Durrance announced that the college is raising money to pay off those grant debts so that the students can return to school.

It's not often you see a college working to help students who have had to leave so they can return. Usually it's a case of "just take the money" and nothing more. But PCC's action is certainly commendable and to be applauded.