With the slow economy and less funding for higher education from the state, outside scholarships and grants become more important to students.

The B.O.S.S. (Bikers of Student Success) scholarship ride was held Saturday to help raise money for much-needed scholarships for Riverland Community College students.

Bikers, both motorcyclists and bicyclists, turned out to raise money for the cause. Last year 70 participants raised enough for six $500 scholarships, which students at all three Riverland campuses used.

This year, about the same number of participants raised money for area students.

We hope these scholarships help students that truly need a boost to continue their education. More students are going back to school after deciding they need more training or need to pursue another field after losing their jobs.

State funding at public universities is likely to be cut, leading colleges to find other ways to maintain their services, such as raising tuition.

We hope Riverland will be able to run at its current level without raising tuition, but the money raised Saturday should help if school becomes less affordable.