The proposed budget passed by the N.C. House would eliminate lottery funds for scholarships for community college students who need assistance. One community college official estimated this could affect 15,000 students across the state. Some of these students won’t be able to afford higher education without the scholarships or retrain to begin a new career after their previous job disappeared. The fact that the effect might not be felt until the 2012-13 school year simply delays the impact for a year.

Almost from the get-go legislators have tinkered with the initial funding plan for lottery revenue. Ten percent is supposed to go toward the scholarships, with the remainder going to teacher salaries and school construction. That construction is what has caused the latest change by House legislators. The savings from the scholarships would go to counties to help pay for debt service on school construction projects, many of which have already been completed or started.

County taxpayers certainly don’t want to see their taxes raised to cover the debt service for school construction. But community college students don’t want to lose scholarships that could make the difference on whether they’re able to attend classes.