Some Colleges Adapting to Student Needs

Education is one of the best ways to reduce income inequality. Unfortunately, necessity to juggle work and school can generate a great deal of stress for working-class students. Wealthier students can devote countless hours to academics while their less privileged counterparts are forced to work menial jobs to make ends meet. Thankfully, some universities are recognizing this problem and providing special services for busy students.

One such program provides students with a personal coach:

Long reserved for pro athletes and corporate executives, personal coaches are now being offered by some colleges to help students set goals and manage time.

It sounds like the kind of college concierge service one would expect to find at exclusive, upper-crust schools. But in fact, the 15 or so schools that have hired a coaching company called InsideTrack don’t fit that description at all. Several _ including a number of for-profits _ cater to older students trying to balance the demands of work, school and family. Others serve traditional-age college students who may need help making the transition from high school.

Of course, coaching programs aren’t the only thing necessary to help more college more manageable. Schools should consider issuing scholarships that help pay for living expenses as well as tuition. Working-class students who are forced to work several jobs just to keep their head above water deserve more support.