By: Sharon Nellist
The PSU Board of Trustees will meet tomorrow, March 12, to vote on the proposed tuition increase for the 2015-16 academic year.
The potential 5% increase will leave resident undergraduate and graduate students paying around $330 more each year. Non-resident students will have to pick up the tab with $500 more each year.*
Students are affected by tuition increases: fewer enroll, they graduate later based on the course load they can afford, work longer hours at demanding jobs that interfere with academic performance, and drop out because they do not have enough money and cannot get more!
PSU’s Board of Trustees claims that the potential increase is due to flat enrollment, decreased state support, increase in costs, and the previously negotiated salary increases.*
Higher education is an important part of our country’s economic advancement. Free higher education, as in other developed countries, would ultimately save money with a $15-$30 billion investment. The staggering 70% of Americans who start college and do not graduate is evidence to the billions of dollars currently wasted. The more people there are in college, because they can actually afford it, the less unemployed people there would be seeking government assistance. College graduates without debt would stimulate the economy with the money they do have. Also, an educated society reports a higher level of health and happiness. (Bob Samuels Huffington Post)
I kept my tuition loans low by attending a community college before transferring to Portland State; however, with the consistent increases, I am seriously worried that I will be unable to get the funding for graduate school.
Our Student Body President Eric Noll is raising a rallying cry against the increase to put pressure on the board. Students are encouraged to gather in front of the Millar Library from noon to 1 p.m. this Thursday. #NOSTUDENTVOICEPDX
What do you say? Hope to see you there!
*Proposed agenda for the PSU Board of Trustees Meeting March 12, 2015
Excellent post, it’s getting way too expensive!
This won’t help you at the undergraduate level, but something to think about for graduate school is finding a way to have it paid for you. Two of the best ways I know is to start working at a place that will help cover your expenses of Grad School while you’re employed there or during your searching of grad schools, see if there are any openings available, especially in Admissions. Most times you will be able to attend for free or nearly free at a school that you’re employed at you’re still getting valuable work/customer service/sales experience too!
Good advice Frank, I will look into it. Thanks!