The community college's policy of open admissions and low tuition offers a chance for the achievement of cultural, social, educational, and/or vocational objectives by adult students and those who, for any number of reasons, are not aware of or eligible for financial support in the form of grants, loans, and scholarships. An historical review quickly reveals that the free school movement, even at the primary and secondary levels, has been a long, arduous struggle. Equally difficult is the effort to maintain low tuition in contemporary community colleges, particularly in light of rising operational costs and rising taxes. Yet interviews with students illustrate the difficulties or impossibilities of college attendance for many as a consequence of high student costs. The raising of tuition fees threatens the second chance that our community colleges have represented. (JDS)