Florida Governor Supports Tuition Hike
Florida Gov. Charlie Crist has loosened his opposition to raising tuition rates in the state's public universities, offering a route to relief for a higher education system struggling under severe budget deficits, the Associated Press reports. Crist's plan proposes increases of up to 15 percent a year at all state schools, quite a turnaround from just last year, when Crist vetoed a 5 percent tuition increase for all schools, arguing it put too much financial burden on students and families.
Now, however, "things evolved," Crist said at a press conference, as a worsening state economy has forced the Legislature to dramatically cut funding to higher education. In late 2007, Crist OK'd a 15 percent tuition hike for three schools, then early this year, for two more institutions. This week's proposal would allow all 11 universities to raise tuition.
The costs of going to state schools in the Sunshine State, such as the University of Florida or Florida State University , are some of the nation's lowest, averaging $3,808 a year for full-time, in-state undergraduates. The national average is $6,585.
If all universities impose the full 15 percent, it would generate $72 million a year. Under the plan, 30 percent of those funds would go to financial aid, with the rest being used to recruit and retain faculty.
Tags: Florida | colleges | tuition | Florida State University | University of Florida | Charlie Crist
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Raising tuition in the current economy?
The United States' government wants to raise Florida universities’ tuition, so the total cost of tuition equals the current national average, which is about $6,585 for every thirty credit hours. Currently Florida universities charge less than $4,000 for the same amount of hours. By continuing to increase the tuition, students applying for the Bright Futures Scholarship will be judged more harshly on their qualifications. However, if universities raise their tuition above the base price, students pay the difference out of their own pocket instead of Bright Futures.
As a student at the University of South Florida, raising the costs of Florida tuition is detrimental to my financial status. My family has already had to take out two loans for my first semester at the University of South Florida. I thought my family had enough money to support my college finances; however, to my surprise, attending college costs more than I could ever imagine.
In another perspective there is a great deal of young people who are very intelligent and have immense potential to succeed in college. The only problem for these individuals is that many families do not have enough money to help their children attend a university, earn at least one or more degrees, and further their knowledge and personal experience as an adult. As a result of raising the costs of Florida universities’ tuition, this action will discourage underprivileged families with children desiring to attend a university and succeed to be something greater than they ever envisioned possible.
Charlie Crist on Higher Education
Even good ol' Charlie Brown... er, Crist... realizes that there is something of value in this state of euphoria we live in that must be helped and nurtured in spite of the ups and downs of our finances. There is an incalculable value in the continued work that is made at UF and FSU even if it means a higher cosst to it. It's called "higher valuable education".
Leave it to Charlie Crist to support higher spending by YOU for less educational value. This is the same mindset he exhibits in making it easier for medical insurance companies to sell you less for more.
So far, the education and health care communities think they are "above" the financial meltdown (and revolution). They are not.
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