QCC recognized for low-income affordability, success

PHOTO/MATT VOLPINI Gail Carberry, the president of Quinsigamond Community College, said serving all area students is important for the region as these students usually remain close to home and add to the local economy.

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By Sam Bonacci

Quinsigamond Community College has been named to a list of 25 community colleges across the country that advance opportunities for low-income students by the U.S Department of Education.

The Worcester school was recognized late Monday because of its enrollment of more than 40 percent low-income students and having high outcomes for those students, according to a release from the school.

“By affording our students an opportunity to earn a high-quality education, we are not only improving their lives, but the lives of their families. Many of our students go on to further education and to work in our region, so this strengthens the Worcester community and beyond,” said QCC President Gail Carberry.

At QCC, the share of low-income students is 49 percent. In addition, more than 70 percent of all borrowers at these schools were successfully repaying their loans three years after they left school, according to QCC.

The other community colleges in Massachusetts that made the list were North Shore Community College in Danvers and Springfield Technical Community College.

This list is part of an overall College Scorecard, which is a federal initiative, called for by President Barack Obama.