College tuition hike too much

[Nik's Mom]

Every head of every larger company in the US makes more than the President of the US--heck every major league baseball player and NFL player makes more than the President of the United States.

I realize that. My point is that he should take a pay cut along with every other employee in that system. Especially when it is his poor management that has contributed to the problems at the CSU level. But he just keeps getting his nice fat raise every year. It's disgusting how the system is run. His salary is just one example. I can name a long list of examples of how poorly the CSU system is run.

 

[apirateslifeforme]

I lost my job in February and returned to community college to upgrade my skills. Thankfully, there is a program in place for "dislocated workers," so it isn't costing me anything OOP. However, I was floored when I received the new course book and read that ONE class costs $1,271! Just in tuition...no mention of the cost of the books. Full-time, four classes - $4,780.

As an aside, I was also floored when I filled out my FAFSA (required by the school, no matter what) and was informed that despite being a single, unemployed adult, my expected contribution was $19,300. I never grossed $30k a year when I was employed!

 

[Nik's Mom]

I lost my job in February and returned to community college to upgrade my skills. Thankfully, there is a program in place for "dislocated workers," so it isn't costing me anything OOP. However, I was floored when I received the new course book and read that ONE class costs $1,271! Just in tuition...no mention of the cost of the books. Full-time, four classes - $4,780.

As an aside, I was also floored when I filled out my FAFSA (required by the school, no matter what) and was informed that despite being a single, unemployed adult, my expected contribution was $19,300. I never grossed $30k a year when I was employed!

I'm sorry about your job loss. Times are tough for so many people. I was a financial aid advisor for 10 years. I wanted to suggest that you speak to a financial aid representative at your school to see if you qualify for an income adjustment. That's what I used to do for some unemployed students. Your 2009-2010 fafsa was based on last years income. An income adjustment would allow financial aid to look at 2009's income instead. Good luck to you!

 

[apirateslifeforme]

I'm sorry about your job loss. Times are tough for so many people. I was a financial aid advisor for 10 years. I wanted to suggest that you speak to a financial aid representative at your school to see if you qualify for an income adjustment. That's what I used to do for some unemployed students. Your 2009-2010 fafsa was based on last years income. An income adjustment would allow financial aid to look at 2009's income instead. Good luck to you!

Thank you I probably will do just that...even when I "graduate" in May and get a new job, I still want to keep going with even more education. And even with a job, those costs are still pretty daunting! Any little bit will help!

 

[goodeats]

At $10K a year, it's still a bargain isn't it? When I went to a UC (graduated in 2000) the price was super cheap. Like a few thousand a quarter or something.

 

[monarchsfan16]

Instate undergrad tuition at the University of NH is $10k and change. Then you tack on just under $2700 in mandatory fees, bringing you to $13k. Living on campus requires forking out ~$20k once tuition, fees, room, and meal plan are factored in.
Do the increases stink? Sure. But for the reputation schools the UC system has, they're getting a bargain.

 

[emma'smom]

10K is really cheap for a college education.....the private college where I work charges 45K a year comprehensive--and we're not the most expensive around.

At $10K a year, it's still a bargain isn't it? When I went to a UC (graduated in 2000) the price was super cheap. Like a few thousand a quarter or something.

 

[undertheradar]

You have to understand the situation as it applies to California. We have very inexpensive Community Colleges, around $20.00 per credit hour. These students spend possibly $500.00 per semester on tuition and fees. The students protesting at the state schools have the option to take core classes at the ccs and then transfer to the state colleges. Too many in California think that a colege education is a right and should be free.

Before anyone attacks me for my views, my ds is a freshman at a private university here in the state and tuition is $30,000.00 per year plus books. I should point out that this is as a commuter student. We toyed recently with sending him to the ccs, but budget cuts will force the schools to eliminate class offerings. The end result would require a longer period of time to complete the core work.

 

[Nik's Mom]

I'm a former Californian, as I said before. The cc idea worked for me. I did my GE's there then transfered to USC on financial aid and a part time job. My parents were poor and could not help.

I feel that college is a privilege, not a right. I worked hard on my grades and with a part time job to make sure that I received my college degree. But through my work with students as a financial aid advisor, I realize that I was very fortunate. I had many students who struggled because they or their parents made enough to disqualify them from receiving aid, but not enough to actually pay for all of their education. These are the students who will be impacted the most by the increase in tuition.

Sure, to most of us $10,000 seems reasonable. But not to a student who is already struggling to make ends meet. Add the increased tuition to the high cost of living, and soaring unemployment in California and this just makes education that much more out of reach to some students.

 

[Free4Life11]

$10K might not sound like a lot, but that's just tuition and fees. Don't forget how much it costs to live: food, housing, transportation, medical, etc. I know at the University I went to, room and board were MORE expensive than yearly tuition.

And regardless, a 32% increase of just about any expense is drastic!

 

[Val]

And what makes you think that professors do not work 40 hours a week? What I would GIVE for only a 40 hour week. I work at a large state university- I teach at least 200 students/semester, am expected to run a fully functioning research laboratory, serve on several time consuming committees and write my papers for publication and write new grant proposals. Oh, and this week I wrote over 100 letters of recommendation. Much of this work occurs nights/weekends.

If I had stayed in the K-12 public school system with a masters, rather than earn my PhD and become a research scientist at a major university, I would be making 20+K more than I make now. I work 12 mos a year; i am on call 24/7 for any problems that might occur with my research area, and often get calls nights/weekends. My mother died Wednesday, but because i teach a specialized course, I cannot fly home until tonight, or risk a bad evaluation. AND....no pay raise last year, no pay raise this year, no pay raise last year. Health insurance, etc. went up....

.....I don't know where all that tuition money is going, but it sure isn't in my pockets. Try looking at coaches, College Pres. and administrators....maybe there.


why do I stay? Well, I am counting the time. In the mean time I am thankful that I have wonderful colleagues, some extremely talented students, and I enjoy the teaching and research (could do without the committees). Sure, there are some slacker profs, but most of us are hard working and dedicated to our students.

 

[golfgal]

You have to understand the situation as it applies to California. We have very inexpensive Community Colleges, around $20.00 per credit hour. These students spend possibly $500.00 per semester on tuition and fees. The students protesting at the state schools have the option to take core classes at the ccs and then transfer to the state colleges. Too many in California think that a colege education is a right and should be free.

Before anyone attacks me for my views, my ds is a freshman at a private university here in the state and tuition is $30,000.00 per year plus books. I should point out that this is as a commuter student. We toyed recently with sending him to the ccs, but budget cuts will force the schools to eliminate class offerings. The end result would require a longer period of time to complete the core work.

Doesn't California have a program where you can go to college for free for 2 years or have they done away with that?

College doesn't have to cost you anything if you are willing to put the work in and apply for every scholarship under the sun. DH and I both put ourselves through college without one penny from our parents-private colleges at that. It can be done but it does take a little extra work.

 

[bicker]

The reality is that state schools are subsidized and unless taxpayers want to pay more to make up for lost revenues due to the depressed economy, that subsidy is naturally going to be less. The costs of providing education, however, do not go down proportionately. What are folks proposing? Having the universities not pay their bills?

 

[MrsPete]

I read one article that claimed that part of the rapid price inflation in college costs was related to an increase in student loans (and/or other financing options). Basically, as more credit was available to help finance college, there was an increase in families willing to pay high(er) prices for college, which increased demand, so the colleges increased their prices (supply vs. demand driving the price).

I've always thought this same thing. As families/individuals are willing to borrow more /as money to lend becomes easier to find, the cost of the same education goes up.

That's not the whole story, of course, but it is a part of this difficult equation.

 

[jlmarr]

Part of the problem in California is that there are restrictions on raising property taxes (Prop 13), so state tax revenue is more dependent on sales tax and income tax, which were both hit hard by the current economic problems. Property tax income is inherently more stable, but it's not likely that Prop 13 will be repealed, even though the primary beneficiaries are businesses, not private individuals. (People tend to move every decade or so and their prop taxes are reset when that happens. Businesses tend to stay put. So for instance Disneyland, not too far away, has only had modest increases since Prop 13 passage in 1978, and they aren't likely to pick up and move any time soon.)

Anyway, back to the original question, California tax revenues have tanked and budgets are being cut across the board, including funding for higher education. I think it's very bad public policy, but there's a lot of resistance to anything that smells like a tax increase.

 

[undertheradar]

Doesn't California have a program where you can go to college for free for 2 years or have they done away with that?

College doesn't have to cost you anything if you are willing to put the work in and apply for every scholarship under the sun. DH and I both put ourselves through college without one penny from our parents-private colleges at that. It can be done but it does take a little extra work.

When did this free 2 year thing exist? Congrats on you and your hubby getting school for free, reality is that household income impacts numerous scholarship programs. What years were you two able to get your entire college educations paid for by such generous scholarship opportunities?

 

[geffric]

The reality is that state schools are subsidized and unless taxpayers want to pay more to make up for lost revenues due to the depressed economy, that subsidy is naturally going to be less. The costs of providing education, however, do not go down proportionately. What are folks proposing? Having the universities not pay their bills?

except the state of illinois.. taxes are doubling and the University of Illinois this year is $30K for tution, room and board and that is for instate kids to sit in a classroom of 1600 students their first year.. it is cheaper to be out of state at Iowa..

 

[jlmarr]

Doesn't California have a program where you can go to college for free for 2 years or have they done away with that?

You can go to a California community college - aka junior college - for the first two years, but it's not free. Something like $20/unit, plus books, lab fees, etc. Used to be half that, but it's still a bargain.

BTW, the OP is talking about the UC system - UC Berkeley, UCLA, etc - not the JC system.

 

[allison443]

When did this free 2 year thing exist? Congrats on you and your hubby getting school for free, reality is that household income impacts numerous scholarship programs. What years were you two able to get your entire college educations paid for by such generous scholarship opportunities?

I was wondering the same thing....this has gotten much more difficult to do compared to when I was in college. I do believe it is still possible, but usually it is in the case of top students with great qualifications getting a "full ride" based on merit at a third or even fourth tier school. (I am not referring to need-based financial aid).

 

[supercarrie]

Quite sad really, but I am not sure CA has much of an alternative. I am a UCLA graduate (recent - class of 07) and know many of my younger friends who are still at the UCs are going to be hit hard by this. That being said, the UCs are still a good deal compared to a private university, and $10K a year for what I consider a world-class education (considering UCLA) is "relatively" a good deal.

I have friends who are protesting but they haven't provided much of an alternative (CA is basically broke - where IS the money going to come from?)
There will be a greater burden in student loans for these students to take on, but I knew of no UCLA student who "worked" their way through college completely anyway (i.e. worked enough hours to completely cover their tuition and rent without taking out student loans). The tuition and LA rents were not cheap enough to do that to begin with!