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ESCANABA -- Monday marked the first day back for students at Bay College in Escanaba.  And while enrollment is staying even, more students are applying for aid.

According to Bay College President Dr. Laura Coleman, between 25 and 75 percent of students have received some form of financial aid.  

Daniel Davis is one of those students.  He's at Bay thanks to a scholarship and loans.

“Unless I was working full time,” explains Davis, "or unless I was married and my spouse was working full time, I wouldn't be able to pay for college."

Those enrolled seek better job skills to keep them competitive in rapidly changing industries.

“Well, I was a children's librarian's assistant for ten years,” explains nursing student Charlotte Oshe, “and then I had a baby and was a stay-at-home mom for a while.  Then I wanted to get back into the workforce.  Now I’m studying to become a registered nurse."

Dr. Coleman said obtaining higher education has now become practical.

“Whether it's a one year certificate, a two year degree, or a four year degree,” Dr. Coleman explains, “everybody needs some additional education.  It’s what employers are looking for."

Still, many like Daniel Davis, are reaching higher.

“I thought an associate degree would be enough.  Even then, I had a hard time getting a job with an associate degree and not make more than minimum wage," Davis said.

The popular courses are Nursing, Business, and Criminal Justice. 

But not all classes are confined to four walls.  One program developed specifically for this area is the Timber Harvesting Certificate Program.  Students will learn harvesting techniques, and much of their instruction will be in forests and logging sites.