The VitalSource Resource

According to the National Center for Education Statistics, enrollment in two- and four-year degree-granting programs rose from 13.2 to 17 million students (an increase of 30 percent) between 2000 to 2015. That number is projected to be 19.3 million by 2026.

This is great news as more students are investing in their futures. However, it comes with a tradeoff: rising cost of attendance and future student loan debt. Based on statistics published by the College Board, the average published tuition and fees at public four-year colleges and universities increased by 9 percent in 2016 over the five years from 2011-12 to 2016-17, following a 29 percent increase between 2006-07 and 2011-12.

One of the best things about my job is being able to go out and meet the faculty and administrators who are working to ensure all students have access to affordable course materials as part of initiatives to improve overall access to a college education. Even better than that is the opportunity to meet and talk to the students who benefit from the efforts.

I had such an opportunity last month at the University of Missouri, Columbia. There, we met with students, administrators, and faculty from the entire University of Missouri System about the program they have dubbed Auto Access.