The High Price of Education Essay -- Argumentative Persuasive Essays

The High Price of Education Once again, students at State University will pay more in tuition during the 2005-2006 academic year, by a 4.5 percent increase. The State Board of Regents was presented with a proposed 5.2 percent increase at its September 23-24 meeting in Capital City, but decided this month that a 4.5 percent increase in tuition was more reasonable. Even with the additional services that could be made available by the tuition hike, the students should not have to pay this increase. According to the memorandum, the tuition proceeds at State University will go toward student financial aid, inflation, library acquisitions and services, learning communities, the four-year graduation plan, study-abroad programs, graduate assistantships and computing and information technology. The extra funds acquired from the raise in tuition are meant to improve the quality of education, however, the proposed increase impedes State University's commitment of affordability and access for its students. As a tuition-paying freshman at State University, this raise will directly effect my already currently suffering bank account and me. I applaud the board for its efforts to improve the quality of higher education for students, and for seeking to help State University in its goal to become the best institution in the nation. Although I don't approve of a 4.5 percent tuition hike for students to increase the funding of various programs at the university, or as a means to help achieve State University's goal. Each time the tuition goes up, it makes it harder for aspiring college-bound students to come to school here. What kind of impact will a higher tuition have on students? If the cost of living plus tuition pushes students to w... ...this increase are not tuition-paying students, but administrators overseeing the institutions from a distance. This raise may have no effect on their bank account, or may even provide the funds for their salary increases. If we as students don't agree with these allocations, we need to speak out and let our views be known. Our opinions will be considered, but only if we take them to someone other than our roommates, such as the Board members themselves. A few years ago, the Regents actually changed the tuition rate during the process due to student feedback, so we shouldn't assume the decision is out of our hands. It may seem as though our bills each September and January are much lower in comparison to other universities, however, we can't just sit back and accept tuition increases that come our way. After all, it is our money and financial future that is at stake.