College tuition increases as students struggle to afford higher education

Students prepared to graduate. Image by pixabay.

In a day and age where many are struggling to get by, the price of higher education is greater than ever before. 

The last 20 years saw the elevation of the cost of tuition by 157 percent for private universities, 194 percent for out-of-state public universities, and 237 percent for in-state public universities, according to CNBC.

To combat this, many initiatives are taking place across the country. 

The programs are being referred to as “promise programs,” and are being enacted in places like San Francisco, New York, Tennessee, and Arizona. 

But, many don’t think it’s enough.

The structure of these institutions for higher education continues to be challenged, with students speaking out about the hard truth about the financial climate many are facing.

 “School has become an industry where it is no longer about educating students, but making money off them,” says university graduate Nina Larson, attendee of WNO Opera Institute summer program at American University.  

“These institutions know that we can’t get anywhere in this climate without a college education, so it makes sense that these prices have gone up, because they know we’ll pay it no matter our income,” she said.

Larson said she is a firm believer that public institutions should be free, as everyone has a right to higher education and should receive all the resources necessary to make that happen. 

“Institutions know we can’t and won’t receive any chances without that piece of paper,” she said. 

Arizona State University recently introduced two of these “promise programs” to enable the seeking of higher education for low-income residents. 

Programs such as the ASU College Attainment Grant Program and the Obama Scholars Program are geared towards “highly motivated Arizona residents who demonstrate leadership qualities,” the university said.

The first program is offered to Pell Grant recipients, while the latter is given to low-income students whose families generate less than $42,400 annually, according to CNBC.

In 2019, House Bill 2061 was enacted by Arizona governor Doug Ducey stating that students in foster care who meet the given requirements will receive a tuition waiver for community college and four-year universities.

Although these programs immensely help low-income residents seeking higher education, they aren’t available everywhere. The Free Application for Federal Financial Aid (FAFSA), however, is. 

With this application, students receive federal financial aid based on many different factors, mostly related to income. Due to this, the U.S. Department of Education has awarded more than $150 billion each year, making it the largest provider for financial aid in the nation, a report from the Arizona Board of Regents shows.