The current crisis in our country involving the economic decline is a very serious issue concerning not only businesses and the stock market, but college students as well. Every year, college tuition increases, and schools which were once considered "affordable" are now becoming heavier on the change purse. Although the economic crisis has not yet affected colleges and universities on a financial level, it is expected to apply some pressure to these institutions in the following years. It seems very predictable that with the issues in the economy and the higher rate of inflation, future tuition rates could soar. This may threaten to put higher education out of reach for many Americans, and now not only low SAT scores are keeping students from going to college.
The increases in tuition and fees come at a time when many American families face layoffs and shrinking investments. While there is no shortage of federal education loans yet, the economic crises has prevented many families from receiving private loans for tuition. The lack of private loans and their mounting costs have restricted students fortunate enough to attend college from pursuing a higher education.
It serves no good purpose to take tuition to an unaffordable level; little gain, and many lose. If colleges raise tuition and loans are made less available and harder to receive, higher education institutions will see a decrease in their student population and as a result, a decrease in their credibility. It leaves too much of America's youth limited in their options for further education after high school and could leave our nation in even more economic turmoil. With less students attending college after graduation, the number of jobs needed will increase during a time where job availability is unfortunately declining. What is America's youth supposed to do then?
Melissa Olsen
York College of P
Leave a comment