CT junior colleges strain under rising enrollment

Connecticut officials say they're concerned about pressures being put on the state's community colleges as enrollments hit record highs and funding remains flat, The Hartford Courant reports.

Community college officials say the 12 campuses struggled the past academic year to handle a record total enrollment of more than 55,000 students. Enrollment will hit more than 60,000 students this fall, a 10 percent increase, if student population trends continue.

Total funding for the colleges, meanwhile, has been kept at about $158 million since the 2008-2009 year.

Many popular classes at the colleges are already full for the fall, and students are being turned away.

Many students have been turning to community colleges for their lower costs in the tough economy.