Research+Paper

Meagan Blanchette Wrt 104 December 4, 2011 Zenion **My horrible first draft!**

Every child in America is entitled to an education. When children reach high school graduation an education is no longer free. College tuition continues to increase into the “financial stratosphere” (Clark, Costly 1). This leaves many children unable to attend college. Tension between students and college officials leave the public uneducated. Even for $40,000 colleges refuse to show the data of the graduates’ academic experience along with debt burdens and jobs. Next year over 300 four-year public colleges and non-profit colleges and vocational schools will be required to participate in the National Survey of Student Engagement (Clark, Tuition 5). The students living within the poor economy struggle to adapt to the budget hikes and costly tuition that colleges implement in order to function. This is a circular problem in which both students and colleges struggle to fulfill financial obligations.

Everyone involved with college tuition is realizing that tuition is a direct reflection of the economy “These days the only way to keep a college education within reach is with a little creative thinking and a keen eye on costs. That’s a critical lesson that colleges themselves are beginning to learn”(Wang 8). College tuition is outpacing the economy inflation of 2.9% (Clark, Costly 1). With the college campus always evolving, projects within the college community also cause the tuition to go up. Students search for scholarships provided by the university to lower the cost of their annual tuition.

There are ways to receive a college education for a realistic amount of money. The student must be creative and realize there are no easy answers. A college degree is universal on paper, how the degree is received is irrelevant. Community colleges offer two-year associate degrees for an estimate of $6,000 After the two years, the option exists to attend “direct pipelines to elite and private schools, as long as students take prescribed course loads and maintain good grades” (Wang 8). When the transfer is complete, even students who held an “A” average at community college are 36% less likely to get a four-year bachelors degree than students who start their education at a university. Students familiarize themselves with the schools “direct pipelines” and “articulation agreements” (Wang 8) to make their final decision for undergraduate and graduate programs (Wang 8). Lower income students are advised to apply for the Pell Grants. Financial funding provides relief for many students with low income, tax credits, and veterans benefits. ”In 2009-10 7.7 million students received $28.2 billion in Pell Grants--- an increase of almost 10 billion from the year before” (Groski). Next years’ tuition will continue to rise making the grant inflation appear minimal. This past year the tuition increased 7.9%. The state appropriations and budget cuts leave financial aid to cover a minimal amount of the cost (Gorski). A rise in tuition resulted in an increase in fall applicants for Champlain College in Burlington Vt. The applicants ranked 27% higher from the year prior, despite the 39% or $6,300 tuition inflation. Jim Boyle the president of college funding stated ChamplainCollege.edu “I don’t see any relief in sight” (Clark 1). The reality is an eighteen year old entering college would want a fancier gym and nice dorms. These projects will accelerate tuition increases. “Champlain College used to be one of the lowest-cost private colleges in New England… The school now costs about the same as its competitors” (Clark, Costly 1). The price tag is high but Champlain College gives money to the students in the form of scholarships. With the money left, Champlain College wants to hire teachers for their study abroad campuses in Montreal and Dublin. (Clark, Costly 1)

Public universities are of larger size with clubs, restaurants, and trends from all around the world. At public universities the average tuition went up 4.4% from the year prior. “After subtracting out scholarships and tax breaks, students and parents are shelling out and average of $13,727 for tuition, dorm, books, and pizza at the typical public university this year” (Clark, Costly 1). College Board’s annual survey showed the numerical change of tuition. “College prices are continuing to outpace the general inflation rate of 2.8%. Students who do not receive scholarships or grants are paying an average of $17,000 up 6%” (Clark, Costly 1). At public universities a student takes more than six years to reach graduation. The diploma at a public college is more than $90,000. (Clark, Costly 1)

National Center for Education Statistics collected data of student debt compares recent college graduates to those in 1993. “More than two-thirds of graduates are in hock the minute they pick up their diplomas” (Kepple 3). The amount of students in debt is said to continue. After the students receive their diploma at a public university they are generally in $17,250 in debt. Comparatively, less than half of the graduates from 1993 were in debt. Student loans can prevent students from starting a family and buying a house. Essentially student debt has the ability to control the student’s future decisions after graduation. (Kepple 2)

Parents and government officials created pressure that is finally yielding to better data. Parents want to know what they are buying. Also they want to see if after graduation their child can earn a career. Many colleges who have participated refuse to release the data “the NEES HANDBOOK numbers may suggest they aren’t worth $40,000 a year” (Clark, Tuition 5). The National Survey of Student Engagement gathers data on academic experiences. Over 1,400 institutions have participated in the survey. Statistics show that 36% of students who have attended a four-year school do not show significant academic improvement. The chart above shows the knowledge students have learned about their specific field. Those who major in education, business, and engineering showed an increase of career-oriented knowledge and skills (NSSE 14). When students spend time frequently interacting with faculty members, the numbers for participation and preparation increase. Education majors ranked 71% for preparation compared to business at a low 43%. The culture of an education major is hands on and interactive. “It is unclear, however, whether interaction with faculty encouraged students to participate or if participation increase contact with faculty. It could, in fact, be both” (NEES 21). Small differences in numbers occur between institutions. “Students attending private, not-for-profit and baccalaureate degree-granting institutions were more likely to have career preparation experiences” (NEES 21). Those students focused on their major program are generally white, female, and enrolled as a full time student. Those students are not distracted by off campus programs. (NEES 21)

NEES Handbook “Why not let students pay for their BA after they graduate with their now bigger earnings?”(Clark, Tuition 5). After a degree is earned students look for a career within their major. Students hope to have large salaries to pay off their debts. Australian students can pay any amount; once they graduate surtax becomes subtracted from paychecks. “The number of Australian college graduates has risen sharply”(Clark, Tuition 5). In 2009 Americans presented students with “loan-repayment option that caps payments at 10% of disposable income; the standard option keeps the amount you pay per month level no matter what your salary is”(Clark, Tuition 5). For some students, loan-repayment makes college seem possible. (Clark, Tuition 5) Finaid.org An online calculator will estimate if a college is in the student’s financial price point. “Starting in October, all colleges must provide online calculators that estimate how much a family will pay after deducting grants and scholarships at that particular school” (Clark, Tuition 6). The calculator will aid the students on grants versus loans. The calculator can show the students that a particular college can be more affordable. The definition of affordability the cost must be 10% of their expected income after graduation. The calculator will inform parents and students of their anticipated debt to repay after college. (Clark, Tuition 6).

Colleges over-seas offer programs to Americans for “as little as half the sticker price of out-of-state public universities or private colleges in the U.S.” (Clark, Tuition 7). Students research colleges over-seas through websites ( [|www.topuniversities.com], [|www.timeshighereducation.co.uk] ) and international college fair advisors. Canadian schools provide a magazine, Maclean’s magazine ( [|www.oncampus.macleans.ca/education] ) to highlight the top Canadian universities. Students may benefit from the differed admission standards. American students are then provided with better chances to get into top international colleges. “Bear in mind, however, that there are far fewer scholarships for Americans studying overseas than for those who stay home” (Clark, Tuition 7). Parents or student borrowers are only allowed to use a 426 through approved international colleges Department of Education. (Clark, Tuition 7).

There are three main factors of tuition increase Keeple stated. Technology is the first. “When a business buys technology it is usually to improve productivity and reduce cost. A college, by contrast, buys technology to stay competitive, and it increases cost”(Kepple 2). Colleges purchase new technology to keep their appearance for their //customers.// The second reason for tuition increase is market demand. The competitive market for higher education is a product to students and their parents. Students always want better than their parents (Clark, Costly 1). “Prospective students and their parents want cutting-edge technology and lush dorms and recreation centers”(Kepple 2). When colleges offer this cutting-edge appearance, many students think it sets them apart. Third is the significant cut of federal aid provided by the government. “Of the upward pressures on tuition and student debt—the institutional characteristics of higher education itself, market demand, and the role of federal government –it is the latter that may be least understood” (Kepple 2). The federal government is always evolving. (Kepple 2).

The world is made up of rich and poor citizens. The students and government officials search for financial relief. When the students show creativity and determination they find an answer from federal funding or possibly Pell Grants. The increase of college tuition into the “financial stratosphere” (Clark 1, Costly) is circular problem that affects everyone. In the near future colleges will post debt and success rates online. With the information gathered by the National Survey of Student Engagement (Clark, Tuition 5) the data will provide the students and parents with accurate results. Education may be our outlet to success. A student who is in an economical major could be the one to rehabilitate the economy. What if that one person can’t afford an education?