Response: Fixed for Four is No More

Fixed for Four is No More? What? You mean that the Georgia education system has found another way to make education more expensive? After coming across GaYoung's post regarding "Fixed for Four" tuition, I am in shock that tuition would continue to creep up as it has done during the past few years. I entered Georgia State in 2005, when tuition was $1819/semester. Now, as I graduate this May 2009, the tuition has increased to $2167/semester. To comment from GaYoung stated, I totally agree that the increase in tuition was not worth the additional facilities we see. For example, GSU improved our existing library, which was OK. However, the old library was fine. It supplied research material, facilities, and technology.

From the article "Regents suspend fixed tuition program," the board has said that tuition will increase for students who take over 12 credit hours (excluding GA Tech and UGA). In the old system, students were able to take more than 12 hours without an additional charge; however, with the new changes, students will be charged. This means for Georgia State students, they are looking at approximately $203/credit hour since our school is a research university. So if we were to assume that students were to only take 12 hours (in order to avoid the additional charge), you're looking at students remaining in school longer. This is turns means paying tuition longer. Which alternative outweighs the other?

Stephen F. Austin students will also feel an increase in tuition. Because the school built new facilities, the students can expect an $75 increase a semester for the average 15 credit hours. Compared to $203/credit hour, they have it good. I do understand that bills have to be paid and education does not come free. However, these decisions are being made by people who don't attend the school and aren't directly affected my their decisions. How do they know whether building a new library or recreational center is worth my extra $1000? For Georgia State students, not only did out tuition increase, but during this past year, we had a hefty increase of student fees for a football team that is still nonexistent. A lot of students can't afford high tuition and high student fees! And the numbers from above were for IN-STATE TUITION, without room and board! For Georgia residents who qualify for HOPE, tuition is not a big factor. But they have to remember that HOPE is continuing on its path of decreasing the credit hours they will supply for. It use to be 130 credit hours, but as I entered school, it dropped to 127.

So as I exit GSU and receive all these surveys asking me "What do you plan to do after graduation, work or further education," it seems to me that trying to afford school and utilize it at the same time is work. So, I always check "work," since I've already have 4 year experience!

Sources:
1. http://glee1102.blogspot.com/2009/04/fixed-for-four-is-no-more.html
2. http://www.ajc.com/metro/content/metro/stories/2009/04/14/georgia_college_tuition.html
3. http://www.onlineathens.com/stories/041609/uga_429685988.shtml
4. http://www.dailysentinel.com/news/content/news/stories/2009/04/21/sfa_regents_II.html