It may be unrealistic to think that complete educational opportunity can ever be achieved. It is indisputable, however, that the United States will have to move much farther in that direction if the problems in the cities are to be overcome. Yet we seem to be caught up in a Catch-22 situation: urban-oriented institutions compete for federal and state funds with other colleges and universities, with the public schools, and with a variety of nonacademic institutions in the city. The funds available are unable to keep pace with inflation, let alone support new initiatives. Student grant and loan programs amounting to billions of dollars a year have done little to increase the college-going rate of truly needy potential students; indeed, they are inadequate for students already enrolled in higher education. Substantially larger amounts of institutional and student aid are needed, yet the national economy continues to fluctuate and funding from traditional sources in shrinking.

It is hard to find solutions to these problems. Major improvements in the economy would be essential, but they would have to be accompanied by a strong, visible, and unswerving commitment to advancing educational opportunities for racial minorities and other disadvantaged people. Even under the difficult economic circumstances of the present, however, the performance of urban-oriented institutions could be greatly improved by changes in policy and practice. For example, a systematic review of national and state priorities and policies could reduce duplication of programs and suggest ways to develop new funding patterns. A better understanding of urban-oriented colleges and universities, and of the cities themselves, by national and state policy makers could lead to more equitable funding. By simplifying eligibility requirements for aid and loan programs and by monitoring the results more carefully and sensitively, programs could more effectively reach the people who need them most.