From 1995 to 2005, average tuition and fees at public four-year colleges and universities rose 51 percent after adjusting for inflation; for private institutions, the increase was 36 percent.

Source: Commission on the Future of Higher Education

AROUND THE USA

HIGH-TECH SCHOOL OF THE FUTURE OPENS

The first Microsoft School of the Future, born out of a partnership between the School District of Philadelphia and Microsoft Corp., opened its doors this fall.

A high-tech building erected in the working-class neighborhood of West Philadelphia, Pa., the public high school features digital lockers, an interactive learning center where some library holdings are electronic, and specially designed software for students' laptops that monitors how quickly they are learning.

About 170 students, mostly African-American and from low-income families, were chosen by lottery to make up the freshman class; enrollment is expected to grow to 750 by 2010.

Source: U.S. Department of Education, The Achiever, November 2006

RESOURCES

HOW TO FUND COLLEGE EDUCATION

The U.S. Department of Education has released a comprehensive guide to federal student aid for students and their families looking to fund a college education.

For a copy of the 2006-07 guide Funding Education Beyond High School, which is recommended for current college students, visit www.edpubs.org or call (877) 4ED-PUBS, with identification number EN0648P, while supplies last.

The 2007-08 version, suggested for high school students, will be available in December. For the online version or to reach the Federal Student Aid Information Center, visit www.studentaid.ed.gov or call (800) 4-FED-AID.