Community colleges and technical schools usually have increases in enrollment in times of economic distress. So the 22 percent increase in enrollment at Coosa Valley Technical College is not a big suprise to those of us in Northwest Georgia.

With unemployment in Rome, Dalton and the surrounding area higher than anywhere else in Georgia, it isn’t suprising that more people are going to school than before.

I just hope that those going back to school are taking advantage of as many grants and low cost solutions as possible and not sinking themselves into a hole with student loans to support them.

Should their income after training not increase enough to allow repayment of any student loans they receive, there are few solutions.

Bankruptcy will not discharge student loan debt unless the petitioner can show that repayment causes an “undue hardship.” 

While paying hundreds of dollars a month in student loan debt when you can’t afford to pay for food, rent and car payments may seem like an undue hardship to you, bankruptcy judges may think otherwise.

I hope that everyone is considering the consequences of borrowing to go to school.