Community college enrollment slides as economy improves

A nationwide trend shows declining numbers of students are enrolling in community college this fall and while Horry-Georgetown Technical College’s numbers are down, it seems to be faring better than most in the state.

The 16 colleges of the South Carolina Technical College System, which includes HGTC, has seen a total enrollment decrease by 4.6 percent between 2013-14 (130,934) and 2014-15 (124,919), according to figures provided by the state system. Current enrollment figures for fall 2015 are not yet available. However, the report indicates the majority of the colleges are reporting either flat or declining enrollment.

Mary Eaddy, spokeswoman for HGTC, said locally, “It is good news, bad news. Enrollment is down but part of that reason is students are choosing to go back to work.”

An improved economy over the last couple of years has seen job numbers increase and more displaced employees returning to the workforce. While that is good news for most, it has sparked the decline in full-time enrollment in schools across the nation. Community college officials are quick to note that the schools have seen record enrollment for the past five years, so the number of students attending is still very high even as numbers decline.

HGTC is showing about a 3 percent decrease in its enrollment numbers this fall. In a down economy, many individuals choose to return to college to improve their skills and may even decide to shift careers completely when their chosen career field has been drastically affected by the economy.

Many community college students have been in the job market for a number of years and are already raising a family. As the jobs market improves, there is a natural shift back to employment with more students opting to enroll part time or online to continue studies.

Harold Hawley, HGTC chief financial officer, noted there has also been a shift in federal grant funding and loans to students. He said over the course of the last four to five years, that change might have affected as many as 1,000 students who would have enrolled for classes at HGTC had funds been more readily available.

Data prepared by HGTC’s research office shows a steady decline in enrollment for fall semester over the last three years. The figures show the total number of students enrolled in classes and a break out of those enrolled fulltime, which means they are taking a minimum of 12 semester hours.

While the college’s enrollment numbers for the 2015 fall semester will not be final for another two weeks, according to Eaddy, the research office shows a headcount of 7,104 students with a full-time enrollment of 4,612.

These numbers show a decline of 231 students overall and a drop in full-time enrollment of 105 since 2014 when 7,335 students were attending with 4,717 enrolled full-time. That decline has increased to a high of 556 in overall enrollment and a drop of 210 full-time students since 2013 when the college had an overall enrollment of 7,660 with a full-time count of 4,822.

Eaddy said while some of the state’s community colleges are seeing double digit drops, overall HGTC is faring much better than most of the 16 colleges in the state system.

“We’re very thankful for that. By the same token, we are looking for ways to make it easier for students to enroll,” she said.

To address the ever-changing student needs, the college has developed hybrid classes. This arrangement offers a combination of online and onsite classes. Additionally, some degrees can be completed entirely online while the student also works a full-time job.

In the Horry County area specifically, HGTC has addressed the needs of certain areas of work such as the hospitality industry, providing individuals who work in the industry fall flex schedules. This type schedule allows the student to start classes after Labor Day as the tourist season ends. Accelerated classes start 30 to 45 days after the semester begins with extended class periods of 50 to 90 minutes each.

“We had the highest flex schedule this fall of more than 300 students,” Eaddy said. “People more and more want flexibility in when they can start classes. It is going to change the model of higher education nationally.”

Eaddy also said high school students are given more options, which affects the numbers of high school students entering the community college system full time. Students might choose to attend classes at several colleges at one time, taking classes online from one college while attending classes in another.

Finding jobs for the students who are enrolled is, of course, a top priority. Eaddy said HGTC focuses on internships in almost all its programs. “We place students who want paid internships and more than 90 percent of them get a job offer from the people they are working for, which is one sure thing, or they get a good proposal elsewhere for employment.”

She added that traditionally spring enrollment is higher in this area. That is mid-winter for the tourism season, which allows more students to enroll full time.

This story was originally published October 8, 2015 at 2:22 PM with the headline "Community college enrollment slides as economy improves."