Students feel the pinch of rising college expences while finding ways to make their dollar stretch further

Tamara Kelly
Charliene McWeeny
Staff Writer 

The drastically rising cost of tuition has been a subject of controversy. While the states have been experiencing cuts in revenues the trickle effect has settled upon the shoulders of college students.

Tuition costs have nearly doubled in just six years. Forcing students to dig deep and find ways to save wherever possible. For students it usually results in book sales, either from online book exchanges or to renting a digital version of their class books.

Estimated costs for public college student’s books results in over a $1,000 a year.

“Everything’s going to go up, it’s all a business” said student Bill Engler.

While some students aren’t feeling the full effects of the increasing cost of tuition prices   because of financial aid, but the outcomes are still there. Where once financial aid may have helped pay for books, they are now having to pay out of pocket.

On average, 64 percent of all undergraduates were receiving financial aid in 2011.

In a recent meeting with college employees Chancellor Michelle Johnson said, “Tuition has gone up, because the budget has gone down.”

If community colleges are feeling the crunch it can be certain that public Universities will also feel the results of Washington State’s 20 percent deficit. The University of Washington tuition fees have increased by 20 percent, estimating the cost to $21,000 a year.

“The cuts in state funding, coupled with increases in tuition, result in students paying a larger share of the cost of their education over time,” said Joann Wiszmann, Vice President of Administrative Services.

Wiszmann continued, “At one time, community college students paid around 25 percent of the cost of their education. Now it’s closer to 33 percent.”