The Virginian-Pilot ©
Students at both public and private colleges in the region can expect to see their school costs increase this fall.
Each of the colleges surveyed by The Virginian-Pilot said they would raise tuition, and those that provide housing are increasing room and board prices as well.
But in many cases, students won't feel the full effects of the increases.
At Virginia Wesleyan College, 95 percent of students get some financial aid to cover tuition, which will be $28,056 this fall. At Regent University, where tuition is increasing to $14,850 for most students, about 87 percent of undergrads get aid.
According to a 2009 survey of private colleges by the National Association of College and University Business Officers, schools gave 82.3 percent of their freshmen financial help, on average.
Public colleges, including Norfolk State University, Old Dominion University and Tidewater Community College, also are feeling pressure to increase both tuition and aid.
At Old Dominion, tuition increases will help offset state cuts, but the university also will provide $1.9 million more in scholarships to students with the greatest financial need. The school also plans to add on-campus jobs worth $250,000 for students.
"We have to keep in mind our student population," which includes many working adults, said Jennifer Mullen, assistant vice president for marketing.
About two-thirds of ODU students get financial aid, and the average award is $11,518. In-state tuition for 2010 will be $7,470, but room and board adds about $9,000 more.
Tidewater Community College, with locations throughout the region, is the least-expensive higher education option for about 45,000 local students, but prices are rising there as well because of state funding cuts. Tuition, set by a state board, will increase this fall to $107.50 per credit hour, or about $4,000 a year for a full-time, in-state student, including fees. Nearly half of TCC's students get financial aid.
Lauren Roth, (757) 222-5133, lauren.roth@pilotonline.com
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The Work for It Crowd Has a Political Axe to Grind
I got a GSL and paid it back upon completion of college. I also worked to pay my way while I was there. Some of the folks here seem to be moralizing to the parents of would be students. Could it be that they are using an outdated paradigm to guide them. When I attended ODU tuition was $500 per semester. When I graduated I was able to pay off the loan in about two years. The amount of money to send these youngsters to college today is such that they do have to get help from somewhere. So don't act so self-righteous about everyone paying their own way. I did it, and I applaud those of you who did it too, but look at this situation realistically. Stop being paranoid that someone is out to abuse your tax dollars. Is there a political point that you are making beneath the surface too?
Glad my kids are done
These rate increases go up faster than inflation. Mine went to Virginia Tech. I would hate to think about how much an increase would be there this year. With the government's takeover of student loans, as someone pointed out earlier, I'm worried another bubble and disaster is in the making like Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.
The truth is, it takes a lot
The truth is, it takes a lot more "glitz and bling" to attract today's high school senior who expects every creature comfort, like free WiFi, food courts, free entertainment, free internet, free cable TV, and luxury dorm rooms. When I went to school, a dorm room at ODU (choice of Rogers or Gresham) was little more than a prison cell...cinder block walls, a desk and a bunk bed. Now they need a "University Village" with apartments renting for over $4000 a month (based on quad occupancy). There was a day when students went to college to study and learn...not to be entertained.
k-12 budgets publicly scrutinized for technology expense
The public is rarely informed about the technology related budget expenses of colleges and universities, but they are equal to or greater than the technology budgets of k-12 schools. I learned of the huge technology costs at my alma mater when the alumni organization sent each one of us an email asking for support--with the budget document attached! In IL, the state has reduced payments to the state university each year for the last 15 years--and currently, the state is behind 6 mos in payments. IL is bankrupt and BTW, our president spender in chief hails from Chicago IL, home of the democratic quid pro quo spending machine (see governor Rod Blagoevich trial ...you will laugh until you weep). I will defend much of the University of IL spending on technology because it is premier engineering, science and research university and those faculty and students actually use the sophisticated technology for academic purposes.
there is free money available
For all those young people and their parents who don't have money for college. There are the Academies, ROTC and VA which will give you a free college education in exchange for active service to your country.
That's not always an option
What about the students for whom military service isn't an option? Older students, students with physical or psychological issues...where do you suggest they find the money?
Ditto - Do what I did
..I worked for it also (took six years but still completed it). Sometimes working 40+ hours a week and taking 16-18 credits - engineering. Tough but can be done, was done and students still doing it now. College is not handed out to anyone - you need work for it all, either in high school for good grades then scholarships or later work to pay for yourself. If you wish it, you will find a way.
Kudos
To you for working for your degree! But it still smarts a bit that if I'd had my kids out of wedlock and was a welfare recipient I'd have a free ride thru college, but since I got married, and had kids and didn't get any government help I get NO assistance. Doing the right thing just doesn't pay off.
Do what I did...work for it.
Do what I did...work for it.
Where to schools get the
Where to schools get the additional money for financial aid? This does not make sense. Why not decrease tuition. Schools would not need so much aid.