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College dropout rates reflect big challenges for blacks, Latinos According to the non-profit Education Trust, even though African-Americans and Latinos are making substantial increases in college enrollment, they still drop out at higher rates. Nationally, the graduation rate is 53 percent; in contrast, the graduation rate of what schools call "underrepresented minorities" - blacks, Latinos and American Indians - is 45 percent. The gap has narrowed slightly in recent years - in 2002, only 42 percent of such students graduated. What worries some is that college dropouts can get shut out of most professional careers in today's increasingly globalized, computerized economy. In interviews, many Latino and African-American students said they felt isolated on campus and excluded from study groups. Even advisers can hurt, they said, trying to pigeonhole them in majors like Spanish or African-American studies. Studies have found that there's not enough financial aid for low-income students. When it's available, many students find the deadlines and paperwork too daunting. Part-time work - needed to pay rent and food - disqualifies some from tuition grants. Others are scared to take on large loans. Source: Krieger, Lisa M. " College dropout rates reflect big challenges for blacks, Latinos," San Jose Mercury News, May 22, 2008, http://www.mercurynews.com.
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