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A record number of applications are inundating schools that are reeling under the massive budget cuts. This has resulted in a situation where college applicants are finding it extremely tough to gain access and admission to the universities and colleges in America.

In spite of the huge rise in applications from community college students, high school seniors and even workers who are unemployed, there is a steep capping or cut in enrolments due to budget cuts by the cash strapped state governments.

Students are left with no choice but to opt for the extremely expensive private institutions or give up studies altogether as more numbers of them are being turned away disappointed due to a drastic increase in competition.

Deserving students are frozen out of flagship universities due to the enrolment cuts as there are a number of smart people around and the competition is stiff. Many colleges are rejecting qualified students they have been welcoming till now. Schools that have always been selective are becoming even tougher in their approach.

Community colleges remain open to access. However, the huge demand for classes has resulted in a situation where many students are unable to get into courses they want. According to California San Francisco Bay Area College Planning Specialists’ partner Gerna Benz, a lot of panic has risen out of this situation. College counselling firms are the only ones doing well as of now.

Benz urges families to look into the private college option that offer classes that are less clouded even though they are expensive. Private colleges also provide students with the option of completing their course in four years time.

Many families who are looking for good value at affordable cost still try their luck at public universities where the demand is constantly on the rise whereas the private institutions continue to hold steady, says the American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers’ associate executive director Barmak Nassirian.

The worst hit will be the low income sector of minority students who will neither get admission into the public colleges nor will be able to afford the private institutions. They will be unable to compete with better high schools and wealthier students.

Cap on enrolment could have serious ramifications on other aspects as well. For instance it could seriously undermine the goal of President Obama in making the country a leader in college attainment by the year 2020. It will also threaten the country’s economic competitiveness.

At a time when enrolments must be increased to accommodate more deserving students, we are reducing it, says the Community College League of California’s President Scott Lay. In order to help workers who are unemployed to train for new jobs, states must actually provide more access to education, especially during recession.

Sadly, there will be a reduction in enrolment by 4000 students in the University of Florida by the year 2012 according to Janine Sikes, the institution’s spokeswoman. Similarly, there was an announcement by Nevada System of Higher Education chancellor that for the first time in history, enrolment capping will be considered by the board of trustees.