Tuition, financial aid are rising
According to National Public Radio, the past three decades have seen college tuition increase at a faster rate than both inflation and income.
“In Arizona, for example, parents have seen a 77 percent increase in costs. In Georgia, it’s 75 percent, and in Washington state, 70 percent [in the last five years],” according to NPR.
According to collegedata.com, the average budget for a student during the 2012-2013 academic school year. was $22,826.
This includes fees and textbooks in addition to room and board. Private colleges, however, averaged closer to $44,000.
Many schools defend their high tuitions, a representative from Duke saying that $60,000 for a college education is a discount.
North Greenville University’s tuition is also going up. According to NGU’s website, tuition for the 2014-2015 school year will be $24,690 for the full academic year, including room and board.
According to Michelle Sabou, Vice President for Business Affairs at NGU, this is a 5 percent increase for tuition and a 6 percent increase for room and board. “The increases are driven by a variety of factors,” said Sabou.
The factors include an increase in the cost of utilities and health insurance, along with improvements to certain programs such as the Dining Hall program.
The cost of operating new facilities enters into the equation as well. The new facilities include the Tigerville Country Store, two men’s residence halls, Snack Shack and numerous athletic facilities. According to Sabou, all of those are opening next semester.
Other facilities that are being worked on include a new chapel arena, along with the new science building.
Kevin Carrey, director of the Education Policy Program at the New America Foundation, told NPR that a sizeable portion of the money a school receives goes to salaries, sports teams and new buildings.
However, NGU’s new budget includes additional money for financial aid, bringing the total to $15 million for grants and scholarships, according to Sabou.
