WASHINGTON – President Barack Obama's goal is that by 2020, America will again have the highest proportion of college graduates in the world.
More low-income and first-generation students must get a degree to reach it. The first hurdle is getting them to apply.
Some don't even consider it because no one is at home to guide them. Cost is also a factor.
About half of high school graduates from families making below $18,300 enrolled in college in 2012 compared to about 80 percent of those whose families earned above $90,500.
One program helping students is the American Council on Education's American College Application Campaign. It's in 39 states and works with schools to focus one week a year on activities to help students with applications.