Brittany Edwards
Karen Morris
English 1102- XX
4 May 2011
College Tuition
As many argue, college tuition is steadily on the rise. College is something that every individual has to make a decision about one day in his or her life. Statistics show that many more students are wanting to go to college in this decade than in any other decade, but statistics also show that each year there is a declining number of students that attend college; could this possibly be because tuition has reached its all-time high and becoming unaffordable, or could it be that parents are not making smart financial decisions? Do these questions explain why students should not be attending college, no. There are many ways to manage the price of college tuition, whether it is finding the proper saving techniques, or applying for student loans and financial aid; if a student is determined and puts their mind to it, they can attend what every college they choose. Going to college is something that every student and family can make happen, even without the use of financial aid. There are still options such as applying for scholarships, a federal work study program, or even student loans if all else fails, but going to college is possible for every student.
Granted college is quite expensive, but with adequate preparation and making smart decisions, anyone who really wants to can attend a college of his or her choice. With the assistance of student loans and scholarships, college can be very affordable. Even taking into consideration a two-year college is cheaper than going to an elite college for four years. For example going to a school such as The University of Georgia a student is looking at around nine thousand dollars for in-state tuition and fees, and approximately twenty- seven thousand for out of state tuition and fees. On the other hand a student could choose a school such as Valdosta State University and things may be a little bit cheaper. At Valdosta State University a scholar would be looking at about seven thousand dollars for instate tuition and fees, and about eighteen thousand for out of state tuition and fees. Even if both of those still seem a little on the high side a student could always start out at a two year college such as Georgia Perimeter College. Universities will usually cost more than a two year, the tuition and fees for an in state student at Georgia Perimeter College is only about three thousand a semester and about ten thousand a semester for an out-of-state student. Despite a scholars family financial standings, financial aid will try its best to awards that scholar the most they can due to his or her personal situation.
Even though the price of college tuition is on the rise, planning for it can help you manage the price instead of having to pay for it all at one time. Students of a lower income home tend to have more money saved for college than someone who parents make around six figures. Studies also show that students that come from families who save for college tend to make better grades; due to the fact that they see their patents believe they can make it in college, so, therefor they tend to try harder in school knowing that their parents believe in them. So the question lies, who is actually responsible for the decline of students attending college? As some would say that college is unaffordable, which it is if the student has not planned for it, but is that still the same situation if there has been money put away year after year?
Here is a question that everyone wants answered, what if a student does not qualify for financial aid? Even if a student is not granted financial aid, college is still a possibility. In an article written by Andrea Hermitt “Paying for college without financial aid,” she list many different ways a student can pay his/her way through college.“ High school seniors are not the only people eligible for college scholarships.” (2, Hermitt) There are many institutes that are tuition free, there is some work involved but going to school would be relatively cheaper. Also a student could participate in a federal work study and pay off debt as he/she went to school. When all else fail there are always student loans that could make going to college possible. As stated by Penelope Wang “Face it: No matter how diligently you seek out scholarships or how savvy you are about the schools you target, chances are you're going to have to borrow money at some point to pay college bills.” There are many ways around the issue of money to go to college.
Planning to go to college can make the entire experience more intriguing. Granted college is expensive, but making smart financial decisions, and using the help that is offered, things will seem a lot easier. If going to a two year state college is not the route a student has planned, parents could not save enough money, and financial aid is no longer an option, do not give up. Even though it would be nice to have a full scholarship with everything school related paid for, not everyone is that lucky. College is possible for every single student, it may be harder for different students with different situations, but it is most definitely possible.
Work Cited
Mark Huelsman “Help Families Save for College” New America Foundation. 2 Jan. 2010. Web. 31 Jan. 2011
Wang, Penelope “Ease the Tuition Squeeze” 14 April. 2009. Web. 7 Jan. 201
College Board “What it cost to go to college” .2010. Web. 31 Jan. 2011
Andrea Hermitt “Paying for College Without Financial Aid” Yahoo! Contributor Network. 28 Sept. 2006. Web. 10 Jan. 2011
