The California State University Board of Trustees postponed its vote on the fall 2018 tuition increase to May due to lack of funding for Gov. Jerry Brown’s proposed budget. Brown’s budget includes millions of dollars less than what was requested.
The possible tuition increase comes with gritted teeth from the Board of Trustees — but it seems it is their only option to supply the funds California State Universities need.
Lack of state funding for higher education is outrageous, especially considering how many students are enrolled at CSUs. College education is only getting more expensive for both in-state and out-of-state students.
The burden falls on the shoulders, of the out-of-state students, more than the in-state students. Out-of-state students pay more to San Diego State on the individual level, and another tuition increase is disgraceful.
Nonresidents pay basic tuition and fees plus an additional $11,880 for non-resident tuition. A tuition increase a second consecutive year would increase the non-resident tuition by $900 to $12,780.
In 2012, the Huffington Post reported SDSU recruited more out-of-state students when state funding was reduced. This problem is not just prevalent at SDSU, but also nationwide.
The Huffington Post notes universities in Michigan, Pennsylvania and Virginia recruit more out-of-state and international students as well. In 2012, there was a surge of nonresidential students at SDSU due to lack of state funding. This prompted backlash from in-state students and former Sen. Michael Rubio.
The problem at hand is that the cost of attendance is increasing on an almost yearly basis.
Higher education is becoming harder to afford for all students. There are grants and scholarships, but there are not enough to support all students. Some don’t qualify for financial aid, so students take out loans.
According to the Federal Reserve, as of 2015, 17 million people under the age of 30 took out student loans in the U.S. The amount of money these 17 million people owe is $376.3 billion in debt.
When it comes to funding, the issue is how much the state will allocate to its state universities.
Since, Brown’s proposed funding is less than what was expected, the cost of tuition will increase.
It might be hard to liberate the U.S. of the weighted price tag on higher education, but it is the lack of state funding that pushes students further into debt.
The increasing price of college is a burden imposed on students and most can only afford it if they take out loans.
So here we are, the future leaders, waist deep in debt before we can even get our diplomas.
