College tuition rises again this fall; students relying more on federal aid to pay for school

[marmar]

AP, via Chicago Tribune:



College tuition costs shot up again this fall, and students and their families are leaning more on the federal government to make higher education more affordable in tough economic times, according to two reports issued Thursday.

At public four-year schools, many of them ravaged by state budget cuts, average in-state tuition and fees this fall rose 7.9 percent, or $555, to $7,605, according to the College Board's "Trends in College Pricing." The average sticker price at private nonprofit colleges increased 4.5 percent, or $1,164, to $27,293.

Massive government subsidies and aid from schools helped keep in check the actual price many students pay. But experts caution that federal aid can only do so much and that even higher tuition is likely unless state appropriations rebound or colleges drastically cut costs.

"Just when Americans need college the most, many are finding it increasingly difficult to afford," said Molly Corbett Broad, president of the American Council on Education. ............(more)

The complete piece is at: http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/sns-ap-us-college-costs,0,2486035.story

[xchrom]

1. Recommend

[Doctor_J]

2. Well, you can kiss federal aid good-bye after Nov 2

but you will be relieved of that $400/year "tax burden". you can pay for college with that. It will cover 1/2 of your books for the first semester.

[marmar]

3. No sh*te......I went with my younger cousin when he bought his books and OMG!

They cost more than double what they did when I was in college (15 yrs ago)