The Price of Higher Education
By Virginia Watson
The issue of tuition in higher education has been brought to the forefront especially in New York State. College is one of the largest expenses that many people will ever have. It is evident that this trend will continue because many colleges and universities, both public and private, increased their tuition for the 2003-2004 year. In the next year and in future years tuition prices may continue to increase. However, the situations for private and public schools differ in many ways.
Private colleges have always been far more expensive than state schools creating larger student loans and the need to look for more financial aid and scholarships. Just this past year The College of Saint Rose raised its tuition $950, which affected many of the college’s students. For some students the increase hasn’t affected them dramatically. For others the increase has affected them more. One student at the college stated that “with the tuition increase, I had to pay the difference that my loans don’t cover.”
Pataki, however, has proposed that private colleges in New York State will receive state help for construction projects. The reason for doing this is bigger than just education. It will help provide jobs in areas upstate and in New York City that have been struggling economically. Pataki stated that “for the first time, I will advance a new capital initiative that includes our independent colleges and universities, a critical part of our state’s higher education system. This initiative will enhance our high technology efforts, meet academic infrastructure needs, and advance partnerships in economic development.”
Tuition increases that occur at schools such as St. Rose, Siena, and Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, all private schools in the capital region, are balanced out with the fact that financial aid packages increase. However, the financial aid that students will receive will come in the form of mostly loans and not grants. Loans must eventually be paid back after graduation, as a result leaving many students in debt.
        Public schools have been the hardest hit in regards to tuition increases. SUNY colleges and universities tuition was increased this year $950, the first time since 1995. While tuition has remained constant for that amount of time, fees in the state system have increased. This past December, the need to approve SUNY schools 2004-2005 budget was voted on. The result was a 13 to 2 vote that included the decision to have annual tuition increases at all four-year SUNY colleges and universities. This proposal is not definite yet. It first gets sent to governor Pataki, who will decide whether or not to include in the 2004-2005 budget. It is then sent and acted on by the state Legislature. If it is approved, the tuition increases will start for the next academic year. Assemblyman Jack McEneny of Albany is against tuition increases, “If we're going to have the workforce of tomorrow, we're going to have to make it possible for people to go to the university.”        
Many students that attend the schools in the SUNY system are not happy.
Recently, college student in New York State went to the State Capital Building in order to convince Pataki to prevent tuition from increasing. They also want him to not cut forms of financial aid, such as the Tuition Assistance Program (TAP). For some students if the tuition continues to increase, many may not be able afford the school and have to transfer to a community college. Higher education coordinator for the New York Public Interest Group (NYPIG), which keeps track of consumer, environment, and government issues, stated that “any tuition increase is a terrible idea. Tuition should be used as only a last resort and not as a first option.” Attending college today is necessary because there are not many places you can go without a college degree. That is why making higher education affordable for all is extremely important.