Tuition rising, job market declining

College not an option for some potential students

With the new budget cuts, I get to use my flashlight for more than just shadow puppets.

The state of Texas primarily depends on sales tax revenue to fund education. This year sales tax revenue is down, some months by more than 10 percent. Although UHCL has been advised that this downfall is expected to improve next year, the university has been asked by the state of Texas to prepare a 5 percent reduction plan – just in case.

Higher education in the state of Texas has gone from state funded to state assisted.  Since 2003 when Gov. Rick Perry deregulated tuition, UHCL has lost about $1.5 million for school programs. The state is contributing less and less. In 2009 the state provided about $33.5 million to the university with students having to fill a large gap of approximately $78 million.

With the economy in recession, many people are losing their jobs, and with them their financial security. Still others consider themselves lucky to get by with a pay cut or raise freeze because at least they still have a job.

In this tight job market, graduating students have to ask, “How will we pay for our education?”

UHCL was designed for the nontraditional student. If tuition is on the rise and our jobs on the line, how will we better our education?

Some believe student loans are the answer, but with no available jobs it has become difficult if not impossible for students to pay off their loans.

The fees students are required to pay include: lab fees, extended access support, general property fee, E-services, parking, student services, tuition recovery charge, utility surcharge, and a writing center fee; not to mention the fact that international students have to pay special fees on top of all these other fees. For a small fee, students can utilize an installment plan for the semester.

Enrollment in a 3-hour undergraduate course has increased 3 percent in tuition and fees. Overall student tuition has drastically increased, and the average UHCL student now pays about $8,000 per year.

Education in the state of Texas is becoming an elitist system. It’s becoming more and more difficult for the middle class to be able to afford an education. With tuition on the rise, student loans are becoming their only option. With a poor job market after graduation, average middle class students are finding it difficult to justify the cost of higher education.   It is a vicious cycle with no end in sight.