2008 Woodie Awards
More needs to be done to battle rising college costs
Issue date: 11/1/07 Section: Opinion/Editorial
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Over the years, it has become more difficult for students to continue to find ways to pay for their college education. It seems like new obstacles arrive every day.
The College Board announced last week that tuition and other costs such as room and board at private and public universities have risen faster than inflation this year. At public universities, tuition increased by 6.6 percent to $6,185, while private universities increased by 6.3 percent to $23,712.
In comparison, the Consumer Price Index, a standard measure of changes in the cost of goods and services, rose by 3.4 percent last year. This percentage change is a measure of inflation.
The College Board report compiled data of the "sticker prices" of college campuses. The rates listed are before scholarships and financial aid. Many college students do not pay the full tuition price.
Even more disconcerting is that, student aid is not keeping up with inflation. The average Pell Grant per recipient was $2,494 in 2006-07. In 1986-87, the maximum Pell Grant covered about 52 percent of the average published price of tuition and fees and room and board at a public four-year institution and 21 percent at the average private college. In 2006-07, it covered 32 percent at a public four-year college and 13 percent at a private college. Not only are prices rising at universities, but students are receiving `less aid to help pay for it.
Rate increases and less financial aid to cover the costs of a higher education are leading to massive debt for students after college. Low-income families cannot afford to go to college. This causes a societal problem because, over the last 30 years, more emphasis has been placed on higher education than ever before. More jobs are requiring degrees that didn't use to, which are now required to advance in a professional field. Both the federal and state government should step up and find ways to help keep higher education available and affordable for all students.
The College Board announced last week that tuition and other costs such as room and board at private and public universities have risen faster than inflation this year. At public universities, tuition increased by 6.6 percent to $6,185, while private universities increased by 6.3 percent to $23,712.
In comparison, the Consumer Price Index, a standard measure of changes in the cost of goods and services, rose by 3.4 percent last year. This percentage change is a measure of inflation.
The College Board report compiled data of the "sticker prices" of college campuses. The rates listed are before scholarships and financial aid. Many college students do not pay the full tuition price.
Even more disconcerting is that, student aid is not keeping up with inflation. The average Pell Grant per recipient was $2,494 in 2006-07. In 1986-87, the maximum Pell Grant covered about 52 percent of the average published price of tuition and fees and room and board at a public four-year institution and 21 percent at the average private college. In 2006-07, it covered 32 percent at a public four-year college and 13 percent at a private college. Not only are prices rising at universities, but students are receiving `less aid to help pay for it.
Rate increases and less financial aid to cover the costs of a higher education are leading to massive debt for students after college. Low-income families cannot afford to go to college. This causes a societal problem because, over the last 30 years, more emphasis has been placed on higher education than ever before. More jobs are requiring degrees that didn't use to, which are now required to advance in a professional field. Both the federal and state government should step up and find ways to help keep higher education available and affordable for all students.
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