The poor can do what the poor have always done.
Join the military and spend four years learning a job which they can take with them into the private sector if they decide to leave after their tour. They can also get the GI bill which has just been revamped to make it more worth while (you have to pay for it though which is the biggest problem because they take $100.00 per month for the first year, just when you are paid the least and likely need it most). Another problem is that earning the GI Bill and being able to use it are two different things. It's gotten harder over the years because of abuse. There are some states that are offering a full four year scholarship for joining the state Nat'l Guard. The military also offers college credit for on the job learning and performance and the different special training courses which we can attend.