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81 <br />Center for Rural Affairs, www.cfra.org <br />nesses and in community institutions. But incomes are lower in rural areas, making the rising cost of educa- <br />tion a greater burden and barrier. <br />Land grant universities were created to make education affordable and accessible to ordinary people. Fulfill- <br />ing that mission is critical. <br />By keeping tuition at affordable levels and providing financial aid to low and moderate income students, land <br />grant colleges can ensure rural people access to the education that can help rural America thrive in the future. <br />One innovative approach would be to provide college loan repayment assistance to students who work or <br />start businesses within the state but don't make enough money to make their student loan payments. <br />Currently, students who have to borrow heavily to get through college are almost forced to move to metro- <br />politan areas (often out of state) where pay is higher. <br />People's universities <br />Land grant colleges were created to be the people's university — to help people build better lives and stronger <br />communities. That mission is as critical to rural America today as at any time in history. It should remain a <br />priority of land grant universities. <br />Page 13 <br />