Millions cut from state schools' pockets

Georgia's 35 public colleges and universities can expect to share $135 million in budget cuts. The state Board of Regents approved the 6 percent reduction plan at a Tuesday meeting. The cuts are part of a statewide strategy to deal with an estimate $1.6 billion budget shortfall in the fiscal year that began July 1. For colleges and universities, the cuts mean freezing hiring and travel, not replacing old equipment, cutting the number of books and magazines in libraries and delaying new academic programs.

(Associated Press)

Federal funds for college prep

Georgia is getting federal money to help under-privileged people earn college degrees. The University System of Georgia will use $2 million in federal grant money to help push low income adults and other underrepresented groups. The program matches challenge grants aimed at increasing the number of low-income students ready to enter post-secondary education. Plans for Georgia's funds include expanding access to www.GAcollege411.com, the state's online portal to help students plan for and finance college, and conducting outreach to adults who have some credits, but haven't finished schooling.

College-bound blacks match population in South

For the first time, African Americans are as well represented on southern college campuses as they are in the region's population. The Southern Regional Education Board measured 16 states, and found that blacks make up 21 percent of college students and 19 percent of the population. However the South's rapidly growing Hispanic population has reduced the proportion of the population that is black, making the milestone easier to reach mathematically. Overall, black college enrollment rates still lag well behind those of whites.