Free College for Poorest Students Puts Ivy League to Shame

By Leonard Doyle, Independent UK
Posted on July 26, 2008, Printed on July 26, 2008
http://www.alternet.org/story/92827/

Berea University in rural Kentucky is one of the wealthiest colleges in America but it only accepts the poorest applicants. The dropout rate is negligible and its students go out into the world debt-free, unlike the majority of those who emerge every year from America's universities, proudly clutching a degree but burdened by massive debts.

Berea is lucky. It has a $1bn endowment which, wisely invested, produces enough income, topped up by fundraising, to teach 1,500 students. Some of Berea's students even leave with money in their pockets.