Blacks are not being held back by anything but themselves. First you have to believe that going to school is something you can succeed at. However, passing an entrance exam is often hard if you did not earn real grades like A-B-C. I just read an article about teachers that just give minorities and other under-achievers a D- just to get them out of their class. They were claiming that about 50% of high school graduates couldn't do math at a 4th grade level which is basic addition, subtraction, multiplication and division. Most college degrees require both basic English and math subjects like Algebra 2 and geometry, English composition, essay writing and literature. Then there is the dreaded term paper.
Fortunately, you can take all these beginner classes and GED prep courses at a community college. However, it still takes going to class and doing homework with a positive attitude. All of this can be paid for with Pell Grants from the Federal Government, JTPA, State Grants, etc. I was able to get funding to go back to college after being laid off from a factory job. JTPA paid for my books and tuition. Since Pell grants are based on income of your parents, then if you are from a low-income family you would probably get about $5,500 possible PELL Dollars and other state and local grants. The people at the most disadvantaged are families in the lower middle class who make too much money for a PELL Grant. You can still get Education Loans also or a deferred payment plan. Going to school is hard work and it takes time and money and a will to succeed.
Most important is no criminal record and no drug charges. It is hard for felons to qualify for some courses. Impossible for fields like nursing or police work or dentistry, that requires you to pass a background check and a drug screening urinalysis.
