In the past 20 years, the United States has made great strides in making college more accessible to low-income and/or minority students. However, according to the Appalachian Regional Commission, there is still a large achievement gap between students in the Appalachian region, and those who reside in suburban settings.
The national average for those with a Bachelor's degree is around 29%. In contrast, there are dozens of counties throughout West Virginia, Kentucky, Virginia, and Tennessee in which the rate is below 10%. If the Appalachian region is to lower its poverty rate and unemployment, a college education must become a priority for this Administration.
I want to propose a program similar to "My Brother's Keeper" that provides up to $5,000 per academic year to those who qualify.