Fewer Maine high schoolers are applying to college

Bangor Daily News reports that high school seniors are applying to Maine’s public universities in lower numbers than they did before the pandemic, as the coronavirus has disrupted most elements of the traditional college search and application process. Fewer applications could be coming in particular from low-income students and those who would be the first in their families to attend college, reflecting a national trend. The University of Maine System’s seven universities have received 13 percent fewer applications from high school seniors so far this academic year compared with a year ago. Applications from Maine students have declined at twice the rate of out-of-state applications. In addition, the number of Maine high school seniors filling out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid has dropped by 6 percent from last year. #education #covid-19